Central leaders of the BJP are expected to meet on Sunday to discuss projecting a Chief Ministerial candidate in Delhi, an issue which has been giving a headache to party seniors.
Former Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has emerged as the front-runner with at least four members of the Parliamentary Board expected to endorse his name.
‘Doctor Saab,’as he is fondly called by party workers, faces a strong opposition from Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel.
“BJP leaders are meeting on Sunday to discuss tickets distribution for Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. They will also discuss the Delhi CM candidate issue. An announcement is expected on Sunday,” a well-placed BJP leader told The Pioneer.
Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari is strongly pushing the case of Dr Harsh Vardhan, who enjoys the reputation of being a ‘clean’ politician. Gadkari is officiating as the in-charge for party affairs in
the Capital.
Sources claim BJP president Rajnath Singh wanted to go into the poll under a ‘collective leadership,’ but he has reconciled after party surveys indicated that the BJP does not stand a chance of coming to power in the national Capital without a clear projection of its CM candidate.
Sources claim Goel’s muscle-flexing exercise during a Press conference at BJP’s Delhi office on Wednesday and slogan shouting by his supporters at the residence of Gadkari on Thursday has not gone down well with Rajnath Singh as well.
While Goel has told central leaders that TV surveys give him a clear edge over other BJP leaders in Delhi, a survey by Gadkari has shown Harsh Vardhan ahead of other claimants.