SC asks Centre to take quick decision on fate of Delhi

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to take a decision on dissolution of Delhi Assembly "one way or another" within five weeks, questioning it for continuing to keep the house in suspended animation when no party is coming forward to form the government.
"One party says it does not want to form government. Other says it cannot. Third party has no strength. In a situation like this why should people suffer?" it asked.
A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice H L Dattu also asked as why MLAs be paid from taxpayers' money for sitting idle due to assembly kept in suspended animation.

The apex court asked Additional Solicitor General P L Narasimha to convey the "feeling" of the court on the issue to appropriate authority.
"I think they(authorities) will take a decision," Justice Dattu said while adjourning the plea of Aam Aadmi Party for dissolution of assembly for five weeks.
"Why should tax payers money be paid to legislators who are not doing anything? Authority concerned should think and act," the bench also comprising justices J Chelameswar, A K Sikri, R K Agrawal and Arun Mishra said.

It asked the Centre what steps it has taken to explore the possibility of government formation during the last five months. President's rule was imposed on Delhi on February 17 with no party coming forward coming forward to stake claim for government formation after AAP government headed by leader Arvind Kejriwal resigned.

"We are not looking at political party before us. We are looking at the Delhi citizen's point of view...He may say he has elected a representative and he is drawing salary from taxpayers' money and sitting idle," the bench said.
It, however, turned down the plea of AAP which submitted that apex court should pass order so that elections in Delhi are held along with that of four other states later this year.
The apex court said it is for the appropriate authority to take a decision.