Congress attacks Najeeb Jung, accuses him of acting under BJP's influence

New Delhi: Delhi Congress accused Lt Governor Najeeb Jung of acting under the influence of the NDA government as it questioned his move to call all political parties to explore formation of a government in the city almost eight months after President's Rule was imposed.

Coming down hard on Jung, the party alleged that he was bringing "disrepute" to the Constitutional office by allowing BJP leaders to "dictate" terms to him with an aim to help the saffron party politically.

"Why has the Lt Governor decided to call all political parties to explore formation of a government eight months after imposition of President's Rule? He is acting at the behest of BJP which is unacceptable," Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma said.

The Congress leader alleged that BJP was not ready to face fresh polls immediately and was forcing Jung to take certain decisions to "delay" the elections.

"Why cannot the BJP issue a statement saying it does not want to form government? The ruling party at the Centre was scared of facing the polls and that is why it is adopting various tactics through the LG to delay the polls," he said.

The Congress also demanded immediate dissolution of the assembly to pave way for holding of fresh polls in the city which is under President's Rule since February.

Jung has decided to invite political parties to explore possibility of government formation in Delhi, a day after Supreme Court's rap over delay in taking a decision on the issue.

The Lt Governor met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh this morning and apprised him of his move to call the parties before taking a final decision on ending the political uncertainty in Delhi.

The AAP has also stepped up attack on Jung, questioning his latest move on government formation.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal asked Jung to call a meeting of all political parties to take a final decision.

Hearing a petition filed by AAP seeking dissolution of the Assembly, a five-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu had put the issue on a fast forward mode as it slammed the Centre and the Lt Governor over delay in taking a decision on government formation.