Congress vows to carry forward its 15-year rule in Delhi

The Congress Party on Monday welcomed the announcement of dates for Delhi Assembly polls and expressed confidence that the people would vote for it this time taking into account the 15 years of stable government in the state under Sheila Dikshit's leadership.

"Indian National Congress party welcomes the Election Commission's decision. I thank the EC for giving the people a chance to elect a representative government," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"Congress leaders and workers are excited. And the manner in which we have earlier run a successful government for 15 years, the Congress is excited to form the government yet again with the support of the people, the blessings of the people of Delhi and significant issues," he added.

Surjewala further said the result in the Delhi Cantonment Board elections has proved that Congress would be back with full majority.

He added that the Congress would form the government in Delhi on its own.

The Congress leader also downplayed former chief minister Sheila Dikshit's remark that the Congress would offer support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in case of a hung verdict.

"Sheila Dikshit has herself said that people have taken her statements in different meanings," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader J.P. Agarwal accused the Election Commission of deliberately delaying the announcement of assembly elections in Delhi under pressure from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre.

"They have delayed it. They should have announced this long back. There is no government in Delhi for a long time now, they have delayed the elections under pressure from the BJP," he said.

The Election Commission earlier in the day announced that the Delhi Assembly polls will take place on February 7 and the counting of the votes will take place on February 10.

"You are aware of the dissolution of the erstwhile legislative assembly by Presidential order, dated November 4, 2014. Legally, the commission, as per the principle, laid down by the Supreme Court of India the commission can take six months time for holding the next general elections," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) VS Sampath told the media.

"However, since the dissolution of the President will expire by February 15, 2015 and in order to restore the mandate of the people as expeditiously as possible, the commission has decided to go in for elections where results will be known well before February 15," he added

Sampath further said there are 70 assembly constituencies in Delhi of which 12 are reserved for SCs.

Delhi has been under President's rule since February after the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government stepped down after 49 days in power.