Kejriwal to face trust vote tomorrow

The first session of the new Delhi Assembly began here today with the newly-elected MLAs taking oath and will continue till January 7 during which the Arvind Kejriwal-led government will seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the House.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was first to take oath followed by Manish Sisodia and his other ministerial colleagues. Senior Congress MLA Mateen Ahmad, who is the pro-tem speaker, administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-elected MLAs.

The new AAP government will seek the trust vote tomorrow while election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker will be held on January 3.

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung will address the House on January 6. On January 7, a discussion on Jung's address will take place.

In the 70-member assembly, AAP has 28 MLAs, eight short of a majority. AAP has the support of 8 MLAs of Congress, which is expected to see across the half-way mark. BJP has 31 members and its ally Akali Dal 1.

AAP had yesterday named first-time MLA M S Dhir as its candidate for Speaker's post.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had yesterday announced the name of senior Congress MLA Mateen Ahmad as the pro-tem speaker. A pro-tem Speaker presides over proceedings relating to taking of oath by new members and other business till the election of Speaker.

Senior BJP leader and MLA Jagdish Mukhi had last night declined to be the pro-tem Speaker of Delhi Assembly.