BJP tried to make me Delhi Chief Minister: AAP Leader Kumar Vishwas

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas has said that BJP offered him Delhi's chief ministership, with the promise the party and 12 AAP MLAs who did not want elections were willing to support him. Vishwas' claim has added more sensation to the ongoing political drama over Delhi government formation.

BJP tried to make me Delhi Chief Minister: AAP Leader Kumar Vishwas

BJP rubbished Vishwas’ claim. “Even I can claim that Arvind Kejriwal had come to my house and offered to make me the CM," said a BJP MLA.

ET has learnt that a first-time BJP MP from Delhi called on Vishwas at his Ghaziabad residence on the night of May 19 — three days after the results to the Lok Sabha elections were declared — offering him BJP's support and the Delhi chief minister's post.

Confirming the visit, Vishwas told ET: "On May 19, around 10.30 pm, a BJP MP had come over to my house. I met the person because he is a friend. The gentleman stayed on till 3.30 am trying to convince me that I should help BJP form the government in Delhi and that they were willing to offer me the CM's post. He claimed that he was meeting me at the behest of top BJP functionaries.

He also claimed that 12 AAP MLAs, who did not want reelection, were willing to support the proposal," Vishwas said.

"I was told that if I agreed, then he could immediately take me to Ashoka Hotel to meet the right people to carry this proposal forward. I turned down the offer," Vishwas said adding that he reported the matter immediately to his party. He refused to name the MP, citing "personal relations" with the person but said that the legislator was from Delhi. ET could not reach AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal for his comment.

BJP rubbished Vishwas' claim. "Why is he talking about this right now?" said BJP national secretary and Delhi MLA RP Singh. "Even I can claim that Arvind Kejriwal had come to my house and offered to make me the CM. This is just a way of staying in the news. Mr Vishwas should name the MP."

Vishwas is not an elected MLA from Delhi. He fought the Lok Sabha elections as the AAP candidate from Amethi and faced an embarrassing defeat. The Constitution allows an unelected person to be become the chief minister of a state provided he or she fulfils the stipulation of getting elected within six months of swearing in.

Delhi has been under President's rule since Kejriwal resigned as chief minister in February after spending just 49 days in power. Since then, parties have been making charges of horse-trading and speaking in two voices on re-elections.

AAP has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking dissolution of the assembly. The apex court had on August 5 asked the Centre and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to resolve the deadlock in five weeks.

In an assembly of 70 legislators, AAP has 27 MLAs and BJP 28. BJP had won 31 seats in Delhi elections last year, but with three MLAs resigning, following their election to the Lok Sabha, its tally has come down to 28.[ Source: ET]