Delhi election results: AAP makes stunning debut, BJP short of majority in Delhi

The options for BJP are to either stake claim to form the government or wait for Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to invite its leader Vardhan to do so as leader of the single largest party.

However, the catch is that the Lt Governor is likely to ask a BJP government, so invited, to prove its majority in the house within a specified time.

Given the composition of the House, it is unlikely that BJP would be able to prove its majority unless there are defections from the Congress or AAP which may not happen.

“Since I do not have the numbers, I cannot stake my claim to form a government in Delhi. So I do not really know what's going to happen,” Vardhan said.

He was asked whether he will stake claim to form government.

In the last assembly polls, Congress had 43 seats, BJP 23 seats and BSP had two seats. The Lok Jana Shakti Party and Independent had one each.

During the campaigning, Vardhan had promised to cut power tariff by 30 per cent and slash vegetable prices within 30 days of coming to power.

The BJP has also promised to give 12 subsidised LPG cylinders in a year to each household instead of current nine, besides ensuring full statehood.

It has also promised to set up a dedicated Women Security Force to ensure safety of women. 

An RSS member since his youth days, 59-year-old Vardhan, a practicing ENT surgeon, had successfully connected with the voters while leading a high-voltage campaign from the front despite undercurrents of friction in the Delhi party unit. 

He was announced Chief Ministerial candidate of BJP less then a month before the polls.