Former health minister Harsh Vardhan has reportedly won an intense leadership battle within the BJP in Delhi to become the party's Chief Ministerial face for the December 4 polls in the capital.
The 58-year-old ENT specialist will be pitted against three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit of the Congress and debutant Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The BJP's parliamentary board, made up of its 12 top leaders, including party president Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari and others like Narendra Modi, LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj, is expected to meet before a formal announcement at 11 am.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, a four-time MLA who, as union Health Minister, played a large role in the national pulse polio campaign, has trumped rival Vijay Goel, who succeeded him as Delhi BJP president earlier this year. The party sees Harsh Vardhan's clean, non-controversial image as a big plus for a campaign dominated by concerns over corruption.
The BJP is banking on the mild-mannered doctor's appeal among citizens, especially in the urban pockets of Delhi, where the Congress and AAP are seen to have made a head start in campaigning.
The BJP's ideological mentor RSS is also believed to have thrown its weight behind Dr Harsh Vardhan, a veteran Sangh member, but the party now has to see that he gets the backing of a deeply divided BJP unit in Delhi.
Sources say efforts are on to mollify Vijay Goel, who claims to enjoy the support of the party's grassroots workers in Delhi and is said to be in a sulk over losing out on the Chief Ministerial dream at a time the party sees its best chance of making a comeback to power after 15 years. Mr Goel had earlier marched to the homes of party leaders with his supporters in a blatant show of strength.
But the BJP firmed up its decision after Narendra Modi, the party's presumptive Prime Minister, reportedly told party leaders that their campaign was already lagging behind and the announcement of a clear leader in the Delhi polls was essential to combat the incumbent Congress and Arvind Kejriwal's party effectively.
The 58-year-old ENT specialist will be pitted against three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit of the Congress and debutant Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The BJP's parliamentary board, made up of its 12 top leaders, including party president Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari and others like Narendra Modi, LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj, is expected to meet before a formal announcement at 11 am.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, a four-time MLA who, as union Health Minister, played a large role in the national pulse polio campaign, has trumped rival Vijay Goel, who succeeded him as Delhi BJP president earlier this year. The party sees Harsh Vardhan's clean, non-controversial image as a big plus for a campaign dominated by concerns over corruption.
The BJP is banking on the mild-mannered doctor's appeal among citizens, especially in the urban pockets of Delhi, where the Congress and AAP are seen to have made a head start in campaigning.
The BJP's ideological mentor RSS is also believed to have thrown its weight behind Dr Harsh Vardhan, a veteran Sangh member, but the party now has to see that he gets the backing of a deeply divided BJP unit in Delhi.
Sources say efforts are on to mollify Vijay Goel, who claims to enjoy the support of the party's grassroots workers in Delhi and is said to be in a sulk over losing out on the Chief Ministerial dream at a time the party sees its best chance of making a comeback to power after 15 years. Mr Goel had earlier marched to the homes of party leaders with his supporters in a blatant show of strength.
But the BJP firmed up its decision after Narendra Modi, the party's presumptive Prime Minister, reportedly told party leaders that their campaign was already lagging behind and the announcement of a clear leader in the Delhi polls was essential to combat the incumbent Congress and Arvind Kejriwal's party effectively.
No comments:
Post a Comment