Delhi may see three CMs under BJP in 5 years: AAP’s Gopal Rai on delay in govt formation

After a party meeting, Rai addressed a press conference where he stepped up the attack on the BJP. “It has been more than a week since the results were declared but the BJP has still not been able to decide who will be the Chief Minister of Delhi. The reality is that history could repeat itself and we may see three chief ministers in the next five years just as it happened during the last BJP government in Delhi,” he said.

Rai further added, “…Taarikh par taarikh diya jaa rahein hai…(They are just giving fresh dates). In a state like Delhi, where the party’s top leadership and all senior leaders are actively engaged, a decision would have been made by now. They earlier said once the PM returns from the US, the decision will be taken. But he is also back… and the party is still pushing dates, which shows the party’s lack of preparation…”

The AAP leader said that the “kind of internal tussle, factionalism, and power struggle visible within the BJP” clearly indicates that Delhi may once again witness a scenario where “three Chief Ministers” are changed within a five-year term. “Even if a name is finalised, the ongoing internal conflict within the BJP suggests that Delhi will face an unstable government where those not chosen for the post will constantly try to unseat the one who becomes Chief Minister. The signs are reminiscent of the experiences from BJP’s previous government in Delhi.”

The BJP, which secured 48 of 70 seats in Delhi, has returned to power in the Capital after nearly 27 years. During its previous tenure from 1993 to 1998, the city witnessed three BJP chief ministers — Madan Lal Khurana, Sahib Singh Verma and Sushma Swaraj.

“Despite the BJP violating guidelines of the Election Commission, 43.6% of the electorate voted for the AAP. The BJP’s vote percentage is just 2% points more than that of the AAP… It is a big relief for us that the people of Delhi still have faith and trust in AAP… because the BJP misused all its powers to win this election,” Rai alleged.

In a statement, however, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva attacked Atishi and Rai and said they “have stooped so low to state that BJP used the Election Commission, money, muscle power and deceit to win”.

“Over 57% of voters have rejected the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal and any statement alleging use of power or money in an election is an insult to the voters who have brought BJP in the majority,” the statement read.

Following the defeat in the Delhi Assembly polls, the AAP, which has been voted out of power in the city after 10 years, is set to hold a key meeting on Wednesday with all 70 district secretaries who were in charge of the Assembly constituencies, Assembly presidents, and constituency organisation ministers.

“We will take feedback and reports at the Assembly level. After that, a meeting will also be held with all provincial office-bearers of our organisation to review and further strengthen our organisational framework on February 22,” Rai said, adding that the party will also hold meetings with state office-bearers, including the state president, organisation secretaries, vice presidents, and secretaries,

He also asserted that the AAP would play a constructive role in the Opposition.