Jubilations broke out as enthusiasm of leaders and party workers reached its peak with the BJP declaring Dr Harsh Vardhan as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the Delhi Assembly polls.
The atmosphere reverberated with loud cheers, drum beats and bursting of firecrackers at 11, Ashoka Road — the BJP Headquarters — where supporters had turned up in large numbers to celebrate the occasion.
Hundreds of supporters, who were awaiting a formal announcement, chaired their 'Doctor Saab' on shoulders as soon as he came out after a closed-door meeting with BJP president Rajnath Singh. Even though the announcement was scheduled for 11.30 am, Vardhan's supporters had begun assembling at the party office since 9 am.
By the time the meeting started, the Ashoka Road was packed with vehicles. Scores of party workers, councillors and MlAs were part of the crowd that had gathered to cheer Vardhan. leaders and their supporters from all factions unanimously welcomed the decision and assured whole-hearted support during the elections. The party leaders, who were otherwise seen dejected, particularly during the last one week, were all excited and visibly happy.
Senior leaders like VK Malhotra, Vijender Gupta, Arti Mehra, Vijay Jolly and several office-bearers of the Delhi BJP expressed their happiness over announcement of Dr Harsh Vardhan as the Chief Ministerial candidate.
As they put it, the development would add strength to the party during the Assembly polls and it would ensure Congress' defeat after a gap of 15 years. They, however, ruled out any factionalism within the party saying contesting elections was a collective task.
Meanwhile, jubilant supporters welcomed the decision with great applause. With bouquets in their hands and dressed in best of their attires, hundreds of enthusiasts jostled to greet their leader.
Harsh Vardhan faced a tough time coming out of the party office.Constant sloganeering in support of Vardhan added to their enthusiasm as they made desperate bids to garland the CM candidate.