Delhi Assembly not dissolved in public interest: Centre to SC

AAP blames Congress saying it is indulging in horse trading.

The Centre today justified before the Supreme Court that its decision not to dissolve the Delhi Assembly after the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal as chief minister was taken in "public interest" as there was a possibility of BJP staking claim to form a government.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said in a statement that by doing this, Congress is indulging in horse trading. "This deposition by the UPA government in the Supreme Court is a clear admission by the Congress party that it is encouraging horse trading to help the BJP in forming government in Delhi by using illegal and unethical means," AAP said in a statement today.

The AAP claimed that the UPA government had claimed in the affidavit that there was "dissent" within AAP and in view of this "dissent", there was possibility of BJP forming the government in Delhi. 

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court which had sought its response on not dissolving the house, the Centre contended that holding elections in such a short time is not in public interest as recommended by the Lieutenant Governor. "There were two reasons given (by LG) that is election had been concluded in the first week of December and the government was formed only on December 28, 2013 and therefore in the circumstances it was not expedient or in the interest of the public to hold the next elections in such a short time," the affidavit said. "The governor further stated that in the circumstances the option of any other political party or alliance to stake a claim in the near future should not be closed," the government said.

The Centre submitted that reasons given by LG are correct, relevant and deserved acceptance particularly in the context of the fluid situation in the legislative assembly. It further said there is still possibility of BJP staking claim to form government in Delhi and in that context it would not have been right to dissolve the assembly. "In this scenario, as pointed out by the LG, the possibility of the BJP staking a claim to form the government could not be ruled out," the affidavit said. It was filed in response to apex court issuing notice to it on February 24 on a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) challenging imposition of President's rule in Delhi.

The court, however, had refrained from issuing notice to BJP and Congress which were made party in the petition, saying it only wants to deal with the constitutional issue and does not want to have a political contest. AAP approached the court seeking a direction to the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve Delhi Assembly and hold fresh polls along with Lok Sabha elections.