Secret ballot by MLAs to elect CM is an option: Delhi BJP

The BJP today said holding of a secret ballot among MLAs to elect a new Chief Minister for Delhi is one of the options that can be considered in the formation of a new Government in the national capital.
The party feels that such a course of action under a provision of the National Capital Territory Act will not invite the wrath of anti-defection law and whip of political parties.
BJP Delhi Pradesh chief Satish Upadhya said various options are available to form the next government in Delhi that include invocation of Section 9 (2) of the National Capital Territory Act which provides for holding a secret ballot to choose a Chief Minister without inviting the wrath of the anti-defection law.

Section 9(2) of the NCT Act, 1991, states, "The Lieutenant Governor may send messages to the assembly whether with respect to a Bill then pending in the assembly or otherwise, and when a message is so sent, the assembly shall with all convenient dispatch consider any matter required by the message to be taken into consideration."
Upadhya said in this procedure parties will not be able to issue a whip to MLAs.
He said another option is extending invitation to the single largest party (BJP) to form the government as there have been precedents in the past in the country when minority government was in power.

However, he said the BJP is ready to go for polls in Delhi if there is a decision for holding elections.

"But if we are invited to form government in Delhi, we will do critical analysis and micro detailing and take a call. No MLA from any party wants polls now," he said after a meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Upadhya made it clear that BJP would not indulge in horse trading to form the government in Delhi nor any invitation has come to the party to form the government.
The Delhi BJP chief said he had a discussion with the Home Minister on the political situation in the national capital in the wake of LG's report seeking permission to explore the possibilities of formation of a government by consulting the single largest party but refused to disclose details of the meeting.

Upadhya criticised the Aam Aadmi Party for its attack on LG and use of "derogatory" words like "rape of Constitution" saying this reflected their "poor mentality".
Delhi has been under President's rule since February 17 following resignation of the Aam Aadmi Party government which was in power for 49 days.
BJP with 28 seats in a House of 70. Its ally Akali Dal has one MLA.