Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi’s self-projection as BJP’s chief ministerial candidate in Delhi has not gone well with leaders within the Delhi unit of BJP. Resentment has gripped the rank and file of BJP while the top leadership is miffed over Bedi expressing her desire to lead the BJP in the imminent re-elections to the Delhi Assembly. The party leaders and workers have unanimously voiced their opinion against Bedi saying only a leader from the present lot of MlAs could become BJP’s CM candidate.
“Who has offered Kiran Bedi the chief ministerial candidature for the BJPIJ No such move has been initiated by the party; it is her own creation. All BJP MlAs are of one opinion that a person from the present lot of MlAs will be the CM candidate. The party’s interest can not be compromised with,” said Prof Jagdish Mukhi, five-time BJP MlA from Janakpuri. Incidentally, Mukhi being the seniormost legislator is also a contender for the top post. Delhi BJP president and Chandni Chowk MP Dr Harsh Vardhan, however, sought to downplay the issue, though he admitted that there was resentment among the party leaders. He said Bedi’s views were her personal and that no serious note of it has been taken by the party. “There is resentment among party members but no one within the party has taken her views seriously,” said Vardhan.
Some party leaders, preferring anonymity, went on to say appointing Bedi as BJP’s CM candidate would prove detrimental in the polls as she has never had any association with the party nor party workers. “Such a move will not only discourage the party workers but also create unrest within the party. The BJP has a number of able leaders to steer the party to the polls,” said a party MlA preferring anonymity. Senior BJP leader and former Delhi unit president Vijender Gupta ruled out any such possibility saying no discussion regarding Kiran Bedi has been taken within the BJP. “Bedi has shown her interest in leading the BJP to the polls but no discussion has been initiated to decide the next chief ministerial candidate. If a decision is taken on appointing her for the top post, we will take up the issue with senior leaders,” Gupta said.
On Wednesday, Bedi said she was ready to become the BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate in Delhi if such an offer was made to her. “I will consider myself to be ready for it if such an offer is made,” she said. Bedi, who has been heaping praise on Narendra Modi in the past couple of months, had earlier dropped hints of joining politics.