The Supreme Court today pulled up the Centre and the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung for delay in taking decision regarding government formation in Delhi.

Resuming hearing on a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeking dissolution of the Delhi Assembly and fresh polls, the Apex Court said, “In a democracy, President’s Rule can’t go on forever”. Lieutenant Governor should have taken decision on government formation at the earliest and should not have taken 5 months time.

However, the Centre informed the Court that President Pranab Mukherjee has given his consent to Delhi LG’s proposal to invite BJP to form the government in the national capital. But the five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said that it will hear the petition on merit on the issue.

The bench also asked why the Centre always comes out with one statement or another just a day before the matter is taken up for hearing by it. The Bench said that the case was adjourned many times to facilitate the LG to take a decision but nothing was done.

On August 5, the apex court had given five weeks’ time to the Centre to take a decision on dissolution of the Delhi Assembly.

In another development, the Election Commission on Saturday had announced by-poll to three assembly constituencies which fell vacant following the election of BJP MLAs representing these seats to the Lok Sabha.