President rule in Delhi is likely to continue till Parliament’s budget session. Sources say the decision on the animated suspension of Delhi Assembly will be taken right after Parliament meets to pass an interim budget later this year.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has reportedly met the new Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh several times in recent days to discuss the issue.
Jung’s orders of releasing MLA Local Area Development (LAD) funds from first of June, is also a clear indication that the Assembly is not going to be dissolved for at least three-four months.
“The government has sought detailed estimates from every MLA of Delhi and they will release the funds accordingly. The entire process takes a time of more than 2-3 months. If the Assembly was to be dissolved soon, then there was no point ordering release of MLA Local Area Development funds,” said a source.
According to sources, the BJP MLAs are also trying to launch some developmental work in their Assembly areas before the possible Assembly elections.
“There is a possibility that the LAD funds will be used extensively by the BJP MLAs so that they can prepare some ground to contest in possible Assembly elections,” said a source.
Stopped during polls
The Local Area Development funds were halted after the imposition of model code of conduct during the parliamentary elections last month.
All the three major parties of Delhi – the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress have categorically denied making efforts for government formation in the city.
The city Congress on Tuesday said it is gearing up for the possible Assembly elections and is certainly not trying to form a government in the city.
“We have already passed a resolution on Sunday for not supporting AAP or any other party for government formation in Delhi,” party’s chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma said.
