NEW DELHI: The biggest threat looming ahead of the Kejriwal government is the disqualification of 21 MLAs involved in an Office of Profit case. Disqualification will weaken AAP in the Assembly, hindering floor management.
With the BJP on the rise as the MCD poll results show, the number of Opposition MLAs will rise significantly when byelections are held for 21 seats. If the BJP wins them all, its existing strength will go up from five to 26. Delhi BJP in-charge and vice-president Shyam Jaju said, “Assembly elections can happen anytime in Delhi. AAP is divided. One of its MLAs has already joined the BJP. A one-man army can’t run the party,” he added.
Gupta feels more MLAs could break away. “If AAPs strength comes down below 35, the chance of President’s Rule in Delhi is high,” he says.
A BJP leader explained that three Rajya Sabha seats fall vacant in 2018 from Delhi. As per the present political situation, it means the three will be from AAP—not desirable for the BJP, which lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha where every seat counts.