Delhi live: Rajnath denies AAP allegations of 'horse trading' to form govt

11.30 am: BJP doesn’t engage in ‘horse trading’ says Rajnath Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has refuted allegations of ‘horse trading’ leveled against it by the Aam Aadmi Party, in the wake of persistent rumours that six Congress MLAs will join ship and help the BJP form the next Delhi government. “BJP has never done any horsetrading nor will it do in future”, an indignant Rajnath Singh told media in Delhi. Media reports say that the BJP definitely favours forming the government over an election in Delhi, especially given the fact the AAP performed quite well in the Lok Sabha elections in terms of vote share, although they did not win any seats. However the party is reportedly waiting for a final word from Narendra Modi. Meanwhile the Aam Aadmi Party is all set to launch an ‘autorickshaw campaign’ in the national capital with a view to “exposing BJP” as it alleged that the saffron party is engaging in horse-trading in a bid to form the government in Delhi. [caption id=“attachment_1622473” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Naresh Sharma/Firstpost[/caption] “We are distributing CDs to some 160 autorickshaws across the city to expose BJP,” said an AAP source. The party on Tuesday came out with an audio message which will be handed to the autorickshaw drivers for playing in their vehicles. “BJP is resorting to dishonest and highly unethical methods of trying to form the government by offering Rs 20 crore each to many MLAs. Is this democracy? It is completely wrong,” Kejriwal alleges in the recorded message. 11.00 am: Kejriwal tweets at L-G, asks if he will choose his chair over the constitution Faced with the very real possibility that there will be no fresh election in Delhi, Kejriwal has taken to tweeting at Delhi’s Lieutenant - Governor, asking him whether he plans to allow the BJP to stake a claim to the government. He also blatantly hinted that doing so would expose the L-G as having chosen his own position over the constitution. https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/489604105917067264 https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/489608987961073664 https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/489609290504626176 However the BJP is unfazed by Kejriwal’s allegations. Party leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “They ran away from Delhi when they were given the mandate. Now they are making statements on how the government should be formed in Delhi.” Backround: Is the BJP going to form the Delhi government with a little help from the Congress? AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that the BJP is offering Congress MLAs Rs 20 crore to break away. The BJP, with 28 MLAs (down from 31 seats after three of its MLAs were elected to the Parliament), is six MLAs short of a majority in the Delhi Assembly. “Sources-Despite public outcry, LG likely 2 invite BJP 2 form govt 2day. BJP will accept it,” he tweeted, adding “BJP still does not hv nos. Sources - 6 cong MLAs not yet ready. BJP’s assessment - After taking oath, it wud bcome easier to buy MLAs.” “Almost two weeks ago we had met President Pranab Mukherjee. Even then, we had brought to the notice of the President that the BJP was trying to buy our MLAs and was offering money and concessions of ministership. We requested the President to intervene in the matter. When the BJP failed to buy our MLAs, they started negotiating with the Congress MLAs,” said AAP spokesperson Ashutosh. Read more here