SC asked Union government to respond on Delhi Government Formation by October 10

Supreme Court on 10 September 2014 asked the Union government to respond on the process undertaken by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Delhi government formation by 10 October 2014.

Setting a new time line the Supreme Court said that lack of clarity over the government formation will lead to alleged horse-trading.

The decision was given by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice- designate Justice H L Dattu on a plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeking dissolution of the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

Fixing the next hearing on 10 October 2014, the apex court said that the matter cannot be kept pending and it may take a view after the Centre informs it about the decision of the President and subsequent political developments.

Earlier on 5 August 2014, SC had given five weeks' time to the Union to take a decision on dissolution of the Delhi Assembly one way or another and questioned it for continuing to keep the House in suspended animation when no party was coming forward to form the government.

Background

In the Delhi Assembly elections held in December 2013, BJP had won 32 seats, however, it fell short of 36 seats required to form the government in the 70-member Assembly. As a result, AAP with 28 seats formed the government with the support of Congress Party.

However, after a 49-day rule, AAP government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned over Lokpal issue in February 2014. Since then, the Delhi Assembly is in suspended animation and under President Rule.

On 4 September 2014, Lt Governor wrote a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking his response on the government formation by BJP as a single largest party. The letter was written In accordance with the Constitutional convention and also keeping in mind the law lay down by the Supreme Court that every effort must be made to form a popular government before recommending dissolution.

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