The induction of former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and her declaration as BJP Chief Ministerial candidate in the 11th hour of the ensuing Delhi assembly elections is all about getting the people’s pulse at the right time, feels Prabhat Jha, the in-charge of Delhi BJP who is also a Rajya Sabha MP. Jha represents Delhi unit of the BJP in its highest decision making body — the parliamentary panel. He also contends that the selection of candidates is better this time as win-ability is the main criterion. In an interview with Siddheshwar Shukla, he shares his vision about the most furious and sought after political battle in the national Capital. Excerpts:
First, the BJP took a stand that there would be no CM candidate. But now, you not only inducted Kiran Bedi in the 11th hour but also declared her the Chief Ministerial candidate?
Political decisions are taken on the basis of prevailing political situation and the people’s pulse. She represents Delhi’s fairer sex and has worked on critical issues like women’s security and drug addiction among others.
Isn’t it an admission of the fact that Delhi BJP doesn’t have a credible leader to become CM?
I told you that such decisions are all about people’s pulse and the mood. We inducted her on popular demand. There was also a growing demand of her being declared as the CM candidate.
The opposition led by AAP in Delhi has also alleged that it’s an admission that the BJP in Delhi cannot win riding only on Modi wave?
They may have their own interpretation. If the BJP can win Lok Sabha and assembly elections in four states depending on the Modi factor, then there is no reason to believe that we cannot win in Delhi. It’s our political strategy to project Kiran Bedi as the Chief Ministerial candidate. People do not believe on lies spread by Arvind Kejriwal. Everything will be clear when the results of the February 7 elections are out.
But the BJP cadres seem to be divided on the issue of Bedi being chosen as the CM candidate and also tickets being given to political turncoats?
Can you name any worker who filed nomination as a rebel candidate in any of Delhi’s 70 assembly segments? Then where is the rift and the division. The BJP workers are politically mature enough to understand the strategy and decisions and they are working wholeheartedly for the party.
BJP has fielded less Poorvanchali candidates this time. There were reports that people from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are unhappy with the party neglecting them in ticket distribution.
Nobody is unhappy. All are working with full dedication. At this point of time we have two out of seven Delhi parliamentarians — Manoj Tiwari and Udit Raj from Poorvanchal. All these factors were taken into account during ticket distribution. Appropriate representation has been given to all sections including youth, women and councillors. We are better placed this time and we will win more seats.
What is the basis of your claim to get more seats this time?
We finished first when the AAP was on its peak in 2013. In this election, there is a BJP government in the Centre. The situation is in our favour. We have delivered on several fronts like new policy for e-rickshaws, regularisation of unauthorised colonies and more power sub-stations in Delhi.