Ball is in LG's court to install a popular govt in Delhi: Jagdish Mukhi

New Delhi, Jul 18: Amid reports that his party was exploring possibilities of forming the government in Delhi, BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi on Friday said the ball is in the Lieutenant Governor's court to try his level best to install a popular government in the capital.

"The ball is in the court of the Lt Governor. He is under statutory duty to explore all the circumstances, to explore all the possibilities and try his level best to install a popular government. "...He is to take the initiative. Once he consults various political parties, take some initiative, we will immediately revert back to you (the media)," he told reporters outside the Parliament House.

BJP sources have said that Mukhi, Delhi's former Finance Minister, was the front runner for the chief minister's post as he is known to have good equations with all quarters in the party. BJP had on Wednesday indicated that it might take a shot at government formation in Delhi, which is under President's Rule after the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government resigned in mid-February.

Asked about his reaction to the Delhi budget presented in Parliament today, Mukhi said "it is a very good budget and the highlight is that there is no new tax".

He said with the reduction of service charge in the power sector, the budget has fulfilled one of the promises BJP made to the power consumers. He said the step will not only offset the hike that was announced yesterday but will also provide relief to those who consume within 400 units.

With the removal of pension cap for senior citizens, he said, over 40,000 in this category will be benefited. He also lauded the proposals to set up a medical college and a super-speciality hospital, the substantial allocation to the education sector, and establishment of a new school of planning, architecture and design in the capital.

PTI