The elevation of BJP leader Dr Harsh Vardhan to national politics after his election to the lok Sabha has necessitated the hunt for a new party face to be projected as the chief ministerial candidate. With the BJP winning a thumping majority in the lok Sabha polls, including winning all seven seats in Delhi, sources said, the BJP could press for an early election in the Capital which is currently under President’s Rule.
An indication to this effect was given by Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan who said the party was ready for Assembly elections and insisted that it would not resort to any kind of manipulation to form Government in the city. “There is no option but to go for election in the city as the Assembly cannot be kept under suspended animation for more than one year. The BJP is prepared for a repoll and we are confident of our victory. I will be the last man in this world to resort to any kind of manipulation,” Vardhan said.
Sources said, the resignation of Vardhan from Delhi Assembly might prompt the return of former Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel to Delhi politics. Goel, who had spearheaded the BJP’s campaign for Assembly elections last year, was denied the chief ministerial candidature following which he was sent by the party to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. During his stint as Delhi BJP president, Goel had vigorously raised the issue of inflated water and power bill and alleged corruption in CWG.
Another prominent name that might be considered for the post is Vijender Gupta who is considered close to top BJP leadership, including Delhi BJP in-charge Nitin Gadkari. Gupta, also a former Delhi BJP president, is an experienced campaigner for the party as it was under his leadership that the BJP managed to win all three municipal corporations post trifurcation in 2012. In 2013 Assembly elections, the BJP had relied on Gupta fielding him against three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Before he was appointed the Delhi BJP president in 2010, he had unsuccessfully contested the lok Sabha polls from Chandni Chowk Parliamentary constituency against Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal. After he took over the charge of Delhi BJP, Gupta launched a campaign against the Congress-led Delhi Government over the issues of inflated power and water tariff.