War of words between AAP, Cong over new govt

BJP says both parties indecisive, trying to reach a deal

The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party engaged in a verbal duel Friday, with just 48 hours to go before the debutant party announces its decision on whether it would head the new government in Delhi.

The BJP said the two parties were facing difficulties in finalising their “deal” on government formation.

City Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely said AAP was using unacceptable language against Congress. “Our patience should not be put to test,” Lovely told reporters.

AAP said the “defeated party” should be ready for more verbal attacks in the days to come.“Congress should not expect that if we form the government we will praise them,” AAP spokesperson and legislator Manish Sisodia said.

“We will stand by our commitment to people and order probe in scams related to the CWG, water supply and power sector,” Sisodia added.

“We want to form the government. We will fulfil our promise of reducing power bills by half and giving water to all,” he said.

Lovely dared the debutant party to form the government and deliver its promises. He said AAP was running away from its “responsibility”. 

The BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly polls but declined to form the government. It then mounted pressure on AAP and Congress, which together have a majority in the 70-member House, by questioning the delay in forming the government.

“It seems they are unable to reach a deal. It raises suspicion,” city BJP chief Vijay Goel said. He said there was an “unholy” tie-up between AAP and Congress.

He said Arvind Kejriwal’s party seeking public response on whether it should form the government with outside support of Congress was a “drama”.

In the 70-member House, BJP has support of 32 MLAs, AAP has 28 legislators, Congress has eight MLAs and there are two others. Congress offered “unconditional” support to AAP, which is likely to announce on Monday whether it will accept the offer and form the government.