Supreme Court gives two weeks to BJP, Congress to respond to AAP's plea for government formation in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday deferred a hearing on the Aam Admi Party’s plea challenging Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung’s decision to keep the state Assembly suspended, giving the BJP and Congress two weeks to reply if either of them would like to form a government. AAP’s counsel and senior advocate, Fali S Nariman, had argued before the court that both the BJP and Congress were trying to buy time.

“Why should the LG wait till the elections? We can request him to review his decision,” Justice RM Lodha said, adjourned the case by two more weeks, permitting the two key political rivals of the AAP in Delhi to come back with their formal views on forming a government.

The BJP, through counsels Mukul Rohtagi and PS Patwalia, had claimed that the Delhi Lok Sabha polls were due on April 10 and the party was busy with it.

Appearing for the Congress, senior advocate and nominated Rajya Sabha member, K Parasaran, had justified the decision to impose President’s Rule in Delhi saying it was intended to prevent “aaya ram, gaya ram” politics.

The BJP, however, protested saying the LG was “alive to the happenings” and should be left to undertake any review on his own.

“These are political decisions, not for the courts,” Patwalia said. Additional Solicitor General KV Vishwanath, who was representing the central government, said the AAP plea was premature.

The LG, he said, had the power to revoke President’s Rule on his own. AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal met Jung later in the day to urge him to dissolve the Assembly and announce fresh elections. According to Kejriwal, his visit was prompted by the court’s observation that left the final call to Jung.