Delhi BJP in-charge Nitin Gadkari on Thursday refused to clear uncertainty over the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming polls.
Addressing mediapersons during a political function at his residence, Gadkari though complimented beleaguered Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel for clean image and hard work but in the same vein appreciated arch rival Harshvardhan for his clean(er) image and dedicated work for the party. Both the leaders were present on the dais with Gadkari, who went on to say, ‘The decision on chief ministerial candidate would be taken by party’s central parliamentary board which is scheduled to meet on Sunday.’
‘Vijay Goel has a clean image and has never been named in any case of corruption. He is working hard for the party,’ said Gadkari in function organised by city BJP in which some local leader of Bahujan Samaj Party joined the party in the leadership of Suman Saini.
Similarly, he praised the efforts of Harshvardhan, ‘Harshvardhan also has a clean image and reputation in the city. He is presently working to finalise the manifesto of the party for the upcoming polls.’ He did not mention names of VK Malhotra and Vijender Gupta, who were also present in the meeting, indicating they were out of the race. The induction of local BSP leaders in the party was reportedly organised by Goel’s camp to showcase ‘increasing acceptability’ of Goel and ‘undercurrent’ in favour of the party. It was one of the few meetings of the party, after Goel took over as city BJP president, in which all the senior leaders were present.
‘We never challenged Goel’s clean image but his autocratic style of working. He claims to short-list candidates for the upcoming polls in Delhi without having any formal meeting of the election committee,’ said a former president of Delhi BJP. The party cadres, however, feel that party must end uncertainty on the issue.
‘Indecisiveness of the party on the issue is demoralising the party cadres, they must come out with a decision and stick to that till the poll,’ said a senior party leader.