Dr Harsh Vardhan (in blue) is a four-time MLA.
Harsh Vardhan, a former minister and a medical doctor, will front the BJP's attempt to wrest the national capital away from the Congress' Sheila Dikshit, who has been chief minister for the last 15 years.
The BJP today named the ENT specialist its chief ministerial candidate for the December 4 Assembly elections after an intense leadership struggle.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, a four-time MLA who is best known for his role in the very successful Pulse Polio programme to immunize children against the disease, trumped his party rival Vijay Goel, who fought bitterly, till he was forced to back down.
The BJP reportedly saw Dr Harsh Vardhan's clean and non-controversial image as a good counter to 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.
It is reportedly 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. Narendra Modi, the party's presumptive Prime Minister, reportedly said the delay in announcing a clear leader in Delhi would affect the party's campaign
Mr Goel was reportedly seen as lacking an urban appeal, though he had the support of several top party leaders. But the BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh reportedly threw its weight behind the doctor, a Sangh member since he was a teen.
The BJP celebrated in Delhi today, possibly most out of relief that the leadership tussle had ended. But the party is aware that an unhappy Mr Goel, who is the state unit chief, could tell on its performance in the elections.
He wore his brave face as he stood by Dr Harsh Vardhan's side today, and later said, "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."
But he also admitted that it was "a problem" that he would not get credit for a BJP win in Delhi, but could be blamed if it loses.