The move is obviously aimed to force AAP's hand and put them in an awkward situation where, if it declines Congress's support, it is seen to be running away from the responsibility it sought. AAP leaders are also aware of a rising buzz about Kejriwal avoiding office for fear of his "unimplementable manifesto" being exposed.
So, if AAP were to turn down the offer - as is most likely - it would have the task of convincing its voters that it was not running away from responsibility but was avoiding a trap laid by its political rivals. Interestingly, BJP state president Vijay Goel said on Friday that his party is ready to sit in opposition and provide "constructive" co-operation to AAP.
Constitutional expert Subhas Kashyap said that if he so desired, the L-G could appoint Kejriwal, or some other designated AAP leader, as chief minister. Kashyap said, "The Constitution says that the L-G shall appoint the CM. In the present situation, if he's assured that the leader of AAP will command the confidence of the House, he can appoint him the CM." AAP can, of course, not take up the appointment.
What the L-G will do is not known. He has invited the AAP leaders to discuss government formation with him on Saturday. Till late on Friday night, AAP leaders w ere in a huddle, obviously to work out their best response to the tricky situation.
In its letter to the L-G, Congress said the support of its eight MLAs to AAP was assured and their combined strength (28 of AAP and 8 of Congress) was enough to prove majority in the 70-member house. The letter, signed by AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmed and Delhi Congress chief J P Aggarwal, came just ahead of Kejriwal's scheduled meeting with Jung on Saturday morning.
"We have come to know through media that after refusal by BJP leader Harsh Vardhan to form the government in Delhi due to lack of support of required number of MLAs, you have invited AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to explore th e possibility of formation of government. Congress has decided to extend outside support to AAP if the party is ready to form the government," the letter said.
The letter that signed letters of support of eight MLAs would be provided to the L-G and AAP as soon as Kejriwal accepts the invitation to form the govenrment. "You can mention or show our letter to AAP leaders extending support to AAP for formation of next government in Delhi," it said.
Congress sources confided that the letter was only an attempt to put AAP in an awkward situation by conveying that numbers are not an impediment for AAP to form government. Its refusal, they said, would deepen the impression that Kejriwal was not serious about assuming responsibility and fulfilling the promises he has made in this election.
AAP has promised to slash power tariff by 50%, provide free water and many other sops which have struck a chord with the poor. His promise of corruption-free governance also won t he voters in the middle class.
Nonetheless, Kejriwal is expected to formally decline the invitation to form government when he meets the L-G on Saturday. Once he gives up stake, the deck would be cleared for President's rule in Delhi and fresh election within six months. Of course, Kejriwal will have to do some effective communication in the meantime to tell his voters why he has stayed away from power.
via Top Stories - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFLdCMwrARuHrR2c_SO3PGqRkKGKw&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/assembly-elections-2013/delhi-assembly-elections/Cong-offers-support-but-refuses-to-play-ball/articleshow/27319861.cms
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