Appointment of Dr Harsh Vardhan, the debutant parliamentarian, to the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Modi Government was not a big surprise given his stature in the party and his popularity among the masses in the national Capital.
Vardhan, a five-time MlA and currently the Delhi BJP president, entered the lok Sabha defeating Congress heavyweight and sitting MP Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency. Having entered the electoral politics in 1993 with Delhi Assembly polls, there has been no looking back for Vardhan till his elevation to a Cabinet Minister. He was the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate in the 2013 Assembly elections.
Known for his clean image and his popularity among the masses, Vardhan has been an RSS member since his childhood. Vardhan, who was the Health Minister from 1993 to 1998 in BJP Government in Delhi, also enjoys the distinction of not having lost in any election ever since he marked his entry into the Delhi politics by winning the 1993 Assembly polls from Krishna Nagar constituency.
He went on to retain the seat in the 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 Assembly elections. Fondly called ‘Doctor Saab’ by his supporters and opponents alike, Vardhan is known for the pioneering the Pulse Polio drive to eradicate polio in Delhi when he was the Health Minister. He is known to share a very cordial relationship with RSS and people close to him say he still retains the Swayamsevak’s tendency to downplay the Swayam (self) giving precedence to Seva (service).