Congress, BJP MLAs want to back AAP govt

On a day Harsh Vardhan told Lt-Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung the BJP did not have the numbers to form a government, legislators from both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday suggested they back an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

While Congress MLAs, in a meeting with AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, discussed the possibility of sending a formal letter of support in favour of the AAP to the Lt-Governor, BJP MLAs suggested to the party's Delhi unit chief Vijay Goel that the party back the AAP 'unconditionally' for one year.

The eight Congress candidates who have won met Rahul at his residence on Thursday to review the Assembly elections.

They suggested a formal letter of support in favour of the AAP be sent to Jung. After the meeting, Rahul only said, "It is under consideration."

"A decision in the matter has not been taken but such a proposition was made by the legislators at the meeting," Seelampur Congress MLA Mateen Ahmad said.

Sources in the Congress said the party was willing to support the AAP in order to avoid fresh elections and keep "communal forces" out of power in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Goel too convened a meeting of party office-bearers and asked them to gear up for fresh elections.

Some MLAs, however, suggested the party allow the AAP to form the government.

"It is very essential the AAP forms the government, so the party is exposed," a newly elected MLA said at the meeting.

He added that they had suggested to the party leadership that the BJP offer 'unconditional' support to the AAP for a year.

"Let us see how they govern for one year, this will be proof enough for the people," one MLA said.

Meanwhile, the AAP declined offers of support.