Politics within the BJP intensified on Thursday with supporters of Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel coming out in the open demanding Goel's candidature for the post of Chief Minister in the Capital. With pressure mounting on the party high command, former BJP president Nitin Gadkari once again said the decision would only be taken by the Parliamentary Board slated to be convened in a couple of days. Senior leader and former Health Minister Harsh Vardhan is another front-runner for the CM's post from the BJP.
Goel, who had on Wednesday openly pitched for his candidature, is sticking to his stand, sources close to him said. Goel, according to sources, has conveyed to the Central leadership that declaring another leader the chief ministerial candidate at this juncture would demotivate party workers who are all charged up following the grand rally of Narendra Modi. They said the Delhi BJP president has told the leadership that he would not remain silent if the party decides on projecting some other leader in the elections. He, however, has suggested contesting the elections collectively if a consensus could not be reached on his name.
Earlier in the day, scores of Goel supporters, including some district presidents assembled at BJP Headquarters and demanded that Goel be named as the party's CM candidate. later, they met Gadkari at his residence but they were categorically told that any decision on the issue would be taken by the Parliamentary Board and he also asked them to remain united.
“All decisions will be taken in a democratic process and opinions of all leaders and workers will be considered. However, only the Parliamentary Board of the BJP will take a call on projecting the chief ministerial candidate for the Delhi Assembly polls,” Gadkari said.
As the day unfolded, several BJP leaders including Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Arti Mehra, Harsh Vardhan and Vijender Gupta also met Gadkari and lodged their protest over the manner in which the State unit president had aired his demands publicly.
This, according to them, would hamper the party's interest. Sources said the leaders told Gadkari that no one within the party was happy over the developments in the last couple of days. They also urged the Central leaders to clear the ambiguity over the issue.
It is noteworthy that despite denial by Gadkari, Goel has been projecting himself as the most acceptable leader for the position of Chief Minister saying his popularity has been reflected in various opinion polls. Goel also claimed that he has strengthened the party to a great extent and has successfully held several rallies including that of BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi.