As it is pretty much clear that former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be the face of AAP again, the name of BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi is among the probables for the post…
As the power crisis looms large over Delhi – in literal and figurative both senses – the political parties have started preparing for fresh elections in the national capital. While Aam Aadmi Party has started campaigning via FM channels, BJP is also learnt to have started preparing for elections.
A report in the Hindustan Times claimed that “the BJP expects to form the government in Delhi before Parliament opens for the budget session in the second week of July”.
The report further stated: “The BJP was initially reluctant to make its move, concerned that it could expose the party to criticism that it was encouraging horse-trading. But with legislators desperate to avoid a fresh round of elections, a senior BJP leader said there was a real risk of AAP and Congress MLAs coming together. Most of the party MLAs were pressuring the leadership to form the government, a BJP leader indicated.”
The 70-member Delhi assembly’s effective strength has been reduced to 67 following the resignation of three BJP MLAs who have been elected to the Lok Sabha. The BJP along with partner Shriomani Akali Dal has 29 MLAs and is five short of the majority mark of 34.
Reports of BJP being in touch with few AAP MLAs to form the government were doing rounds. After few senior leaders of AAP and their MLAs alleged today morning that BJP was trying to buy them for the same, there has been a halt on such reports.
It should be noted that after winning the Lok Sabha elections, BJP was keen on forming the government in Delhi again. At that time, the name of former IPS officer and Team Anna member Kiran Bedi was rumoured to be the face of party’s CM candidate. Bedi had also showed her interest in the job. But may in the party had opposed the move.
As it is pretty much clear that former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be the face of AAP again, the name of BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi is among the probables for the post. A poster was spotted today presenting Lekhi as the BJP’s face for the top job. The poster by Delhi for Good Governance (DFGG) described Lekhi as a “strong leader” with “clean image”.
A report in the Times of India called it a self-promotion by BJP leaders for the top job. The report said: “Even as Delhi’s political scenario remains a subject of speculation, BJP leaders are promoting themselves as the chief ministerial nominee of the party. From posters and dedicated pages on social networking sites to aggressive campaigning by public relations agencies, there is hectic activity to pitch some leaders for the top job.
Posters promoting the candidature of the New Delhi BJP MP, Meenakshi Lekhi, have been put up by a group called Delhi For Good Governance in her constituency. Similarly, supporters of the BJP MLA from Janakpuri, Jagdish Mukhi, have started a Facebook page called Jagdish Mukhi for CM. Both Lekhi and Mukhi denied having any knowledge about the campaigns.”
While Lekhi is indeed a good leader who won the parliamentary election by a good margin, maybe BJP should think about Bedi again. With extensive administrative experience in hand and a massive popular base, Bedi may be better than Lekhi in the job.
While it is the sole discretion of the party to choose its candidate, the good news for Delhi is that a new government will be there to serve them soon.
