Notwithstanding Nitin Gadkari’s denial, the Delhi BJP was on Wednesday abuzz about the choice of party’s Chief Ministerial candidate for the Delhi Assembly elections.
Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel said any decision on the Chief Ministerial candidate would only be taken by the Parliamentary Board even as he stated himself as the most acceptable leader for the position of Chief Minister and said his popularity has been reflected in various opinion polls. He was speaking at a Press conference following reports of BJP leader Harsh Vardhan emerging as the CM candidate.
“The opinion polls projected me against Sheila Dikshit. look at the result of the opinion polls. My party is ahead and I am also ahead (in the race for Chief Ministerial candidate),” he said at a Press conference.
Claiming that he has strengthened the party to a great extent, he said a decision on the issue will be taken by the Parliamentary Board on the basis of opinions of the party workers as well as that of the public.
“It will be decided by the public, party workers and the opinion polls. The Parliamentary Board will take a decision based on views of the public and inputs of the party workers. Almost all the surveys projected me ahead,” Goel said, adding that he had sent result of all opinion polls to Gadkari.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi BJP president had separately met party president Rajnath Singh, Delhi poll in-charge Gadkari and general secretary (organisation) Ram lal.
When asked whether he will accept decision of the party on the issue, he said, “My happiness will depend on who is chosen for the post.” Favouring clarity on the issue at the earliest, Goel admitted that the party has delayed making a decision on the matter.
Meanwhile, Goel alleged a massive scam in the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Delhi and demanded a white paper over the issue. It accused the Delhi Government of siphoning a huge amount of money by distributing food grains on bogus cards that do not exist.
He accused the Government for systemic plunder of food grains meant for poor as exposed in a sting operation. The party demanded a white paper on the status of PDS in Delhi. It also demanded sacking of Food and Civil Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf.
“The Congress Government is duping the poor through multi-crore PDS scam. lakhs of fake ration cards have been made. Food grains meant for the poor are being diverted to private flour mills,” Goel said.