The much-awaited team of the Delhi BJP president was announced on Monday which included the names of five sitting councillors, three of whom have been appointed as the vice-presidents. Barring a few names that existed in the erstwhile team of former president Vijender Gupta, Goel has given an overhaul to the team.
Announcement of the new team has got wider significance as these “lieutenants” of the party president will have the responsibility to counter Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who will be leading the Congress expecting a fourth successive victory in the polls that are to be held in November, this year.
In a move that aims at strengthening the party ahead of the elections, four former Mayors have been inducted in the team. Apart from Prithvi Raj Sawhney, three former Mayors — Meera Aggarwal, Savita Gupta and Annapurna Mishra — have also been given responsibility in the party, in various capacities.
Another prominent face in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation — Yogendra Chandolia -- has been made the party vice president. Chandolia was the chairman of the standing committee in the North Corporation. Meera Aggarwal, the former Mayor of North Corporation has also been included in the team as vice president.
However, keeping in view the caste equations and regional influence, Goel has also ensured representation of the dalits and poorvanchalis in his team.
Former MP from Karol Bagh, Anita Arya and Chandolia — both dalit leaders — have been given prominence in the team, while Abhay Verma, convener of BJP's poorvanchali cell has also been made party vice president.
It is noteworthy that both the BJP and the Congress will be banking heavily on the poorvanchali voters in the Capital, that is estimated to be around 40 lakh. Former East Delhi Mayor Annapurna Mishra, another poorvanchali, has found place in the new team.
"We have included representatives from all segments. The focus has been on rural areas and unauthorised colonies. Further, four former Mayors have been included in the team who better understand the problems of the residents. This team of experienced leaders will help the party in identifying the key issues in different parts of the Capital as only six months are left to the elections in the city," said Goel.
While announcing his team, Goel also relied on some of the existing faces. Ashish Sood, Ramesh Bidhuri and Shikha Rai have been retained in the new team. Sood, who was a general secretary in the previous team, has been appointed as the vice president.
On the other hand, Shikha Rai, who held the position of Mahila Morcha president in the erstwhile team, has been given the charge of general secretary in the State organisation. Bidhuri continues to be the party general secretary.
However, in order to strengthen the party, two additional vice presidents have been inducted by the party president. While there were eight vice presidents last year, the number has gone up to ten.
However, there continues to be three general secretaries besides the post of general secretary (organisation) which is being held by Vijay Sharma.
While Sanjay Kaul and Sambit Patra have been retained as party spokespersons, two new faces have also been included -- Aman Sinha and Rajeev Babbar.
The new party president has also given prominence to the sitting councillors in the three municipal corporations that are ruled by the BJP. While Yogendra Chandolia, Meera Aggarwal and Ashish Sood have been appointed vice presidents, two other councillors — Savita Gupta and Annapurna Mishra have been inducted as members in the disciplinary committee of the party.
The move, sources said, aims at strengthening the party's prospects ahead of the elections.
Even Goel had indicated that the party was keen on giving tickets to the sitting councillors this time, unlike the Assembly Polls in 2008 when the sitting councillors were denied tickets.
Goel has also replaced party's Yuva Morcha president. Gaurav Khari has been made the new president of Yuva Morcha replacing Nakul Bhardwaj.