Dikshit’s statement, that BJP should form Delhi government, may have left Congress leaders fuming but she has now found support from within Congress.

Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit’s statement, that as the single largest party BJP should be allowed to form a government in Delhi, may have left several Congress leaders fuming and red-faced but the former governor of Kerala has now found support from another important functionary in the party.

AICC secretary and a three time MLA in Delhi, Naseeb Singh, strongly backed Sheila’s contention and argued against that those in Congress who criticised Dikshit for appearing to be supportive of BJP’s cause. Singh's statement boosts BJP president Amit Shah’s contention that the BJP had the mandate and there was nothing wrong if his party attempts to form the government in the Capital. A vertical split of opinion in Congress ranks could be add to further embarrassment to the party.

Talking to Firstpost, Singh said: "There is nothing wrong in what Sheila Dikshit has said. In fact what she said is absolutely right. At times we should get over from party specific consideration and think of what could be good for the state, nation and the people. In my opinion BJP, being the single largest party, is morally right in attempting to form government in Delhi. If they can get support and the required numbers, then why shouldn't they form the government."

"If Aam Admi Party could form a government with 28 MLAs, then BJP with 29 has every right to form a government. AAP didn't even have the majority when they had accepted LG's offer to form the government. The Congress supporting AAP is besides the point. Is it not a fact that AAP with 28 did not have the numbers on their own” Singh added.

"Look at the ground situation. Delhi has been under President's rule for the last one year. The popular will is not represented in governance. There are so many problems that need to be addressed. If an election is called now, Rs 300-Rs 400 crore of public's money would be spent. Same money could be used for welfare schemes, or for projects that can make a difference in lives of women and people from weaker sections of society”, Singh said.

Incidentally, Naseeb Singh was part of Rahul Gandhi's young brigade, the AICC secretaries who virtually revolted against old guards in the Congress, writing letter against general secretaries asking them not to make any public comment that could be perceived as disapproving to Rahul’s position. Singh had also been parliamentary secretary to Sheila, a post with status of a minister. "There are so many issues where my views have been different than hers but on this issue I totally agree with her. I have been an MLA for three terms and want to get re-elected. But at times one has to go beyond and think of larger public goods," he said.

On Thursday, Sheila had shocked Congress leaders by making a statement that broadly appeared to be in sync with BJP president Amit Shah's interview to Economic Times. Sheila had said:

"What I want to say is that if government can be formed then it should be formed. After all, the LG would have to see that every effort has been made to form the government before the final option of fresh polls is explored. If BJP has reached such a situation where it is capable of forming a government, it is good for Delhi... As far as I could understand, any MLA, whether he is from Congress or AAP or from any other party, doesn't want elections. People are saying that the MLAs have just been elected and it's not even been a year. As far as I can understand, and people are telling me, that they (MLAs) want a government."

It was one of those rare occasions, when a senior Congress leader of Sheila's stature and the BJP president were on the same page on one of the most contentious issues — formation of government in Delhi.

The Congress is in a very bad shape in Delhi. The parliamentary poll results have further demoralised its leaders and workers. A recent survey predicted that only four percent of voters were willing to vote for the Congress. Under these demotivating circumstances the Congress would want time to regroup, regain lost grounds and go for elections only later.

The BJP president in his statement to the Economic Times put a spin on formation of government in Delhi and said:

"Nobody wants elections in Delhi. In the past year and a half, there have been two mandates. Both these mandates have been in favour of the BJP. In Vidhan Sabha we have emerged as the single largest party and in LS, all seven seats were won by us. The public mandate is clearly in our favour. At the state level, however, the issue is about majority. I don't know who will support the BJP or who won't. But why should we refuse if someone is willing to support the party. That being said we will obviously not accept help through unethical means."

Notwithstanding Amit Shah’s forceful contention on government, BJP leaders in Delhi are still at a loss as to how the party would get the required numbers. The Congress could not openly support the BJP and the BJP cannot publicly take Congress support. Congress-Yukt BJP Sarkar taunt could be too much for the BJP to bear. There could be abstentions and resignation but since the sting operation on Delhi BJP vice-president Sher Singh Dagar has been out, no BJP leader is willing to negotiate for they fear of getting stung.

Political support always comes for a price. "We can still talk, negotiate on issues like one does in a coalition government, but one has to be generally very careful. May be after a full proof physical search, if not a strip search”, a BJP leader said on the condition of anonymity.

Else, it could be like 13-day Vajpayee government experiment in 1996. LG’s invite to BJP is unlikely to come soon. Home minister Rajnath Singh said, "There have been media reports but I have not received any communication from President House for home ministry’s opinion."