Dr Harsh Vardhan with BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh
Former Delhi health minister Harsh Vardhan has won an intense leadership battle within the BJP in Delhi to become the party's Chief Ministerial face for the December 4 polls in the capital.
The 58-year-old E.N.T specialist is pitted against three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit of the Congress and debutant Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Dr Harsh Vardhan, a four-time MLA who played a large role in a campaign to immunize children against polio, trumped his party rival Vijay Goel, who fought bitterly and even threatened to quit party posts, till he was forced to back down.
"I wish my father had been by my side," said an emotional Harsh Vardhan, described as 'BJP's Manmohan Singh in Delhi' by Arvind Kejriwal.
The BJP saw Dr Harsh Vardhan's clean, non-controversial image as a good match for Sheila Dikshit's cosmopolitan appeal, and a better option as the party tests its aggressive anti-corruption plank in Delhi ahead of the national polls due by May.
The BJP's ideological mentor RSS is also believed to have thrown its weight behind the doctor, a Sangh member since he was a teenager.
Dr Harsh Vardhan's challenger Mr Goel was by his side as BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and LK Advani announced the party's decision.
Behind the show of unity were several rounds of meetings as the BJP leadership worked hard to mollify Mr Goel, who was reportedly upset about losing out on the Chief Ministerial dream at a time the party sees its best chance of making a comeback to power after 15 years.
"The party has chosen Harsh Vardhan unanimously and Vijay Goel has accepted it," Mr Advani said.
Mr Goel had reportedly met Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi on Sunday in a last-ditch attempt to block Harsh Vardhan's candidature.
"I was never unhappy and I am not unhappy now, this was my decision. I will be happy with whatever role the party gives me," said Mr Goel today.
The BJP is banking on the mild-mannered doctor to pull in middle class voters, especially in the urban pockets of Delhi, where the Congress and AAP have made a head start in campaigning.
The BJP's decision came after Narendra Modi, the party's presumptive Prime Minister, reportedly told party leaders that the delay in announcing a clear leader in Delhi would not help the party's campaign.