Indian government says Delhi assembly to be dissolved; new elections likely early next year

NEW DELHI – India's government has ordered that the capital's legislative assembly be dissolved so a new election can be held.

Delhi has been run by the federal government since the city's top elected official resigned in February.

In an election a year ago, no political party won enough seats in the city's 70-member assembly to form a government. India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party won 32 seats but no political group was willing to form a coalition government with it.

Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi, or Common Man's Party, formed a government but it was short-lived. He resigned when opposition parties voted against his proposal to appoint an independent anticorruption panel.

Officials said the decision Tuesday to dissolve the assembly will allow elections to be held early next year.