The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the Centre for delaying government formation in Delhi, saying there was no progress on the government's part and that the people of Delhi had the right to an elected government.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Centre for delaying government formation in Delhi, saying there was no progress on the government's part and that the people of Delhi had the right to an elected government.

Earlier this morning, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung was given the go-ahead by President Pranab Mukherjee to invite the single largest party in Delhi to form government in the state, Additional Solicitor General PS Narsimha informed the SC.

""In a democracy, President's Rule can't go on forever. LG should have taken decision on government formation at the earliest and should not have taken five months time. We have given you enough time and nothing much has happened so far," a SC bench told Narsimha, further questioning whether "the ruling party (BJP) has the numbers to form government."

The Aam Aadmi Party, too, questioned how the BJP would govern given they didn't have the required numbers and their alleged attempts at poaching MLAs have failed.

"BJP is afraid of holding elections, this is a way of getting the SC hearing adjourned. They do not want to contest polls," AAP leader and senior SC lawyer Prashant Bhushan told media channels outside court.

How will BJP form govt? They don't have nos. Why don't they just call elections? (1/3) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 28, 2014

BJP playing dirty tricks wid the people of Delhi. Tried 4 times earlier to "buy" MLAs n form govt. Failed. Now 5th time?(2/3) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 28, 2014

BJP running away from elections becoz they r dead scared of losing in delhi(3/3) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 28, 2014

Another party leader Manish Sisodia also slammed the Centre for not allowing a government in Delhi saying "the BJP must show some guts, dissolve Delhi Assembly and say yes to elections in Delhi".

The Congress, too, said they would oppose any move by the BJP to form government in the national capital saying it would amount to a mockery of democracy.

"BJP is finding excuses to not fight elections. The Congress will oppose BJP government in Delhi. Everyone knows how L-G is acting. If BJP does not have the numbers inviting the party to form government is not reasonable... If they are so confident after winning Maharashtra and Haryana why are they afraid of conducting polls? It's a mockery of democracy," Delhi Congress Arvinder Singh Lovely told news channel Times Now.

But the BJP hit back at Kejriwal, saying he had the mandate but was greedy for power. "People gave Kerjiwal the mandate to govern Delhi, but in a hurry to become PM,Kejriwal left the people of Delhi in a limbo and left for Varanasi. Now that he has been taught a lesson, he is running back to Delhi and is hoping people will support him," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told news channels.

The BJP, and its allies, which had emerged as the single largest party in the December polls with 32 seats, fell short of four seats and had refused to govern the state paving the way for the Aam Aadmi Party to form government - for 49 days - with outside support from the Congress.

All eyes will now be on the Supreme Court which will pronounce its order on whether a government should be formed in the state or whether Governor Jung should dissolve the Assembly and call for fresh polls, now that they have decided to take up the case on based on merit.

Earlier this month, the apex court had asked the Centre to apprise it on the outcome of the process undertaken by Lt Governor on government formation in Delhi, saying "alleged horse-trading" will continue if a decision is not taken. Senior advocate FS Nariman has been appearing for AAP while BJP was represented by senior lawyer Aman Sinha.