Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of Delhi Assembly

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet today recommended dissolution of the Delhi Assembly, paving the way for fresh polls ending eight months of political hibernation after the fall of the AAP government in February.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after LG Najeeb Jung sent his recommendation after talks yesterday with BJP, Congress and AAP who all expressed their inability to form government and sought fresh mandate.

"The Union Cabinet recommended dissolution of the Delhi Assembly with immediate effect," a senior Union Minister said after the brief meeting.

While the fresh elections may be held early next year, the process for the November 25 by-elections to three constituencies, for which last date of nominations is tomorrow, will be cancelled.

The LG held consultations yesterday with political parties in the wake of the Supreme Court putting the issue on the fast track and giving him time till November 11 to explore the possibility of forming a government.

The court was hearing AAP's petition seeking early dissolution of the Assembly which has been under suspended animation since February after the fall of the AAP government.

In the outgoing Assembly, BJP and its ally Akali Dal have 29 MLAs in a House of 67. Three seats fell vacant after the incumbents were elected to the Lok Sabha.

BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the December Assembly polls winning 31 seats but fell four seats short of a simple majority.

It had refused to form government then, saying it will not resort to any "unfair means" to take over the reins.

AAP had formed the government in Delhi with the support of Congress.

The government led by Kejriwal had resigned on February 14 after the party's pet project, the Janlokpal Bill, could not be passed due to opposition from BJP and Congress.

President's Rule was imposed on February 17.