Delhi polls: A state in suspended animation

Since Arvind Kejriwal resigned as the CM of Delhi after struggling for 49 days, Delhi has been in a state of flux. Dilliwalas have witnessed only confusion and contradictions from all the major political players. The BJP has everything going for it except the confidence to take a decision. AAP continues with its won't play and won't let you play either game. Sting operations, public rallies, indiscriminate accusations and petitions in court. The party continues to live in the pre Lok Sabha poll era while the aam admi has clearly moved on dreaming of Shanghai and Beijing instead of lowly issues like water and electricity bills.

Congress... well it has no option or relevance. After the deadline set by the apex court, there is renewed hope of some action finally by November 11.

The BJP despite the Modi wave is not ready to call for elections. In Delhi the BJP is strangely lacking the political swagger it showed in Maharashtra or Haryana. Many in the party are secretly wary of the party they dub as deserters. Many are also wary of the disgruntled few who may fly under the flag of the party but not want the lotus to bloom.

The party leadership is yet to make up its mind whether government formation is more important than being perceived to be morally right! And the moral high ground will only be obtained if the coronation is set against the backdrop of a head-on fight in repolls.

Moreover, cutting across party lines, most MLAs are worried about cost of elections. Having spent crores less than a year ago, most are worried about another expensive battle. In the end what seems most probable is that the BJP will fight the by-polls on three seats and test the waters. Sources say a minority government of the party is possible even before the by polls. The party's state unit strategists believe this will not only help in by-polls but will also make it easy for them to get support from opposition MLAs (read poaching AAP flock).

Despite the L-G's recommendations to give the single largest party a chance, the BJP is not the only option in the present scenario. AAP may pin hopes on a second chance too. Insiders in the AAP who are tired of mock drills to fight elections again have already started sending out feelers out to Congress just in case such an eventuality arises. Both parties may not admit it on record but in the name of stopping Modi's victory chariot, reluctant approaches are being made. Though AAP is demanding elections on every possible television screen and have told the cadre to be in campaign mode, senior party leaders are worried a clear majority may not be easy to achieve.

Though consultations on three by-polls are on, so far they have been half-hearted. The party is worried if BJP gets a clean sweep on these three, then in the re-elections it will be difficult to break the momentum towards BJP.

Delhi in its present condition can only be described as a curious case where nobody wants elections but everyone wants power.