Harsh Vardhan named chief of BJP's Delhi unit

New Delhi: The BJP today named Dr. Harsh Vardhan as the president of its Delhi unit, in a move aimed at ending infighting at the top, and also at propping up a credible alternative to the Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal.

He replaces Vijay Goel, who has been made a member of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, reportedly as part of a deal worked out by the party's central leadership.

Dr Harsh Vardhan's appointment comes a day after a 'dharna' to expose Mr Kejriwal's track-record as the chief minister recorded a poor turnout. Party leaders attributed the no-show at central Delhi's Jantar Mantar to the differences in the top leadership of the state unit.

Mr Goel, 60, was appointed as the president of the Delhi BJP soon after Rajnath Singh  took over as party president in January last year. But sources say he alienated most of his colleagues with his unilateral and abrasive style of functioning. In October, the party named Dr Harsh Vardhan as its chief ministerial candidate for the Delhi assembly polls.

Dr Harsh Vardhan, 59, is the leader of the opposition in the Delhi Assembly, which has been placed under suspended animation. This means that the ENT specialist-turned-politician will hold dual charge - a rare feat in the BJP which adheres strictly to the 'one-man-one-post' principle.

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A fourth term at the helm of the BJP in Delhi is testimony to Dr Harsh Vardhan's image and standing in the party. He became Delhi BJP president in 2003, soon after his party had tasted defeat at the hands of the Sheila Dikshit-led Congress for the second straight time. He was asked to head the party in the capital again in 2005, and a rare third term followed in 2007.

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