New Delhi: The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Dr Najeeb Jung has got a tough job on his hands. He has asked Dr Harsh Vardhan, BJP's chief ministerial candidate, to meet him to discuss the formation of next government in Delhi. Going by the precedent set by the former President KR Narayanan, he might ask Harsh Vardhan to form the next government and prove majority later.
If Harsh Vardhan declines the offer saying that he can't prove majority, Dr Jung can invite the second largest party, the Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal. Once the AAP also declines the invitation and no alliance is possible, the Lt Governor will be forced to recommend the President's rule in the national capital. He will also have to keep the newly elected assembly under suspended animation till one of the parties come back to him expressing their desire to form the government.
According to political experts, since the Congress, BJP and AAP have declared that they would not enter into any post-poll alliances, the chances of President's Rule look higher.
The previous Assembly was appointed on December 18, 2008. It completes five years on December 18, 2013. The Constitution makes it clear that a new assembly must be constituted by that date. If no party manages majority or comes forward to form the next government, the President's Rule will come into effect on the recommendation of the Lt Governor. The caretaker government of Sheila Dikshit can continue till December 17.
According to the Constitution the President's Rule cannot last beyond six months. Once the six month period expires, the fresh election to the Delhi assembly can be held along with the Lok Sabha polls due in April-May 2014.
As per rule 5 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, the legislative assembly, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from the date of appointment for its first meeting and no longer, and the expiration of the said period of five years shall operate as dissolution of the Assembly.
Once the President's Rule is imposed the Lt. Governor becomes both the Constitutional and executive head of the state government. He can appoint a group of advisors who act as council of ministers to run various departments of the state. Normally, these advisors are senior bureaucrats or retired bureaucrats.
Under the President's Rule, there will be no major developmental work and it will just manage day to day affairs of the government. The President's rule can hurt the growth of Delhi.
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