New Delhi: The Congress's worries are mounting in Delhi. It is a double whammy for the party. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has ordered a probe into the alleged role of former chief minister Sheila Dikshit in the Common Wealth Games (CWG) scam and has also decided to withdraw a petition seeking a stay into the probe from the Delhi High Court.
Just an hour after ordering a probe into the CWG scam, the AAP government has formally asked the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to constitute a Special Investigation Team to probe the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.
The Delhi Cabinet has given its assent to both the decisions, which can even threaten the very existence of the government. The AAP government has the outside support of eight Congress MLAs. If the Congress pulls out, the government will fall.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been maintaining that he is not worried about the safety of his government and the Congress is free to topple his government anytime. Three weeks ago, speaking to CNN-IBN editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai, he had said "we will probe Sheila Dikshit's role in the scams. We will not spare anybody. The Congress must regret for supporting us."
According to some political analysts, it is a very calculated move by Kejriwal. He is finding the governance tough and looking for an escape route. If the Congress pulls out at this juncture, he can play victim and go down as a martyr. He is hoping that it helps the AAP in the Lok Sabha polls and in the next assembly polls in Delhi.
He is actually daring the Congress to topple his government. But, the Congress seems to have got itself into a fix. It fears that withdrawing the support will serve the purpose of Kejriwal and could make the Congress even more unpopular. Some Congress veterans fear that the BJP may form the government with the help of AAP rebels and two other MLAs, if the AAP government collapses.
It is a fact that the Congress is bitterly divided over the issue. A section in the party argues that the continued support to the AAP will diminish the party base further and in the interest of the party, it should pull out. A few others argue that the Congress should back the AAP government till the Lok Sabha elections and depending on the outcome; it can decide the future course of action.
The main opposition BJP is closely watching the developments waiting for its chance. The beaten and badly bruised Congress is wondering where to go and what to do next.
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