BJP dumps Goel,picks Harsh Vardhan as its candidate for Delhi chief minister

L K Advani said the BJP was in a crucial position in the new political environment.

Ending uncertainty in the party and stamping out opposition from its state unit chief,the BJP on Wednesday named 58-year-old Harsh Vardhan,an ENT surgeon who has been elected MLA four times,as its chief ministerial candidate for the assembly elections in Delhi this December.

Harsh Vardhan,called Doctor Saab by supporters and rivals,was chosen ahead of Delhi unit president Vijay Goel who,party leaders said,had accepted the decision. They indicated that Goel would be suitably accommodated after the Lok Sabha polls next year.

BJP president Rajnath Singh,who made the announcement about the CM candidate after a meeting of the party parliamentary board,praised Harsh Vardhan for the leadership qualities he showed when he headed the Delhi unit. Singh said he was also an excellent health BJP dumps Goel,picks Harsh Vardhan as its candidate for Delhi Chief Minister minister when the BJP was in power in the state.

Yesterday,I spoke to Goel. He consented that Harsh Vardhan should be projected as CM candidate. He assured us that the BJP will form the government in Delhi, Singh said.

Senior leader L K Advani said the BJP was in a crucial position in the new political environment. I have seen this party since the time Jan Sangh was founded in 1951. I cannot forget that it all started here in Delhi… The first Lok Sabha seat that the party won was New Delhi. I am glad about the partys decision on the CM candidate. Goel too has accepted it gladly, he said.

Leaders Sushma Swaraj,Arun Jaitley,Nitin Gadkari,Ram Lal and Ananth Kumar were present when Rajnath Singh made the announcement.

When Delhi in-charge Gadkari was asked why the party chose a CM candidate after he had already said it would not have one before the elections,he said: Ask our national president.

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In first remarks after the announcement,Harsh Vardhan attacked the Congress: Before the Congress came to power,Delhi was a vibrant,cultural city. Today,Delhi is only noted for crimes,rape and insecurity. This must change. Delhi needs the healing touch.

Party sources said Harsh Vardhans nomination demonstrated Rajnath Singhs maturity to amicably resolve the crisis in the state unit. Singh made Ram Lal,general secretary (organisation),work on Goel. He then got Goel to chair a meeting of district chiefs where it was made clear that Harsh Vardhan was to be the party choice. This meeting,the sources said,was held ahead of the party parliamentary board meeting.

Jaitley acknowledged Goels contribution in Delhi: Goel is a dedicated party worker. There is no groupism. The decision has been taken on merit. We had a choice of several names and chose Harsh Vardhan on merit.