New Delhi: With elections being gonged-down for Delhi, the BJP is unequivocal about its strategy for the campaign. "PM Modi is already the face of the party. We have had a historic win under him. There is no question of changing the face," said Union minister Nitin Gadkari to NDTV today.
The cabinet has today ordered that the capital's legislative assembly be dissolved; once that happens, elections have to be held within six months. Delhi has been run by the central government since Arvind Kejriwal, head of the Aam Aadmi Party, ended a 49-day term in February for his minority government. The election in December saw the BJP getting the most seats, but not a clear majority. Mr Kejriwal then took office with support from the Congress.
Yesterday, the BJP formally said that though it is the largest party in the current Assembly, it is not interested in taking a shot at forming the government, a stand reportedly urged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In last month's state elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, the BJP racked up historic results. The party did not declare a candidate for Chief Minister in either state that voted. Instead, the PM campaigned exhaustively, asking voters directly for their support. Given the epic political profits of the strategy, the BJP plans more of the same for Delhi.
Many within the Congress, which was relegated to an embarrassing third place in the capital in the last Delhi election, feel that the party should forefront Sheila Dikshit, who served three successive terms as chief minister. That's "out of the question," said Ms Dikshit, who resigned recently as Governor of Kerala, a post she took up after the Congress lost the Delhi election.
Speaking to NDTV, Ms Dikshit said, "I am out of Delhi politics." Her advice to her party: "The Congress should not project a Chief Ministerial candidate in Delhi." Ms Dikshit said her party should instead stick to its tradition of elected law-makers choosing their leader once the results are declared.
The cabinet has today ordered that the capital's legislative assembly be dissolved; once that happens, elections have to be held within six months. Delhi has been run by the central government since Arvind Kejriwal, head of the Aam Aadmi Party, ended a 49-day term in February for his minority government. The election in December saw the BJP getting the most seats, but not a clear majority. Mr Kejriwal then took office with support from the Congress.
In last month's state elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, the BJP racked up historic results. The party did not declare a candidate for Chief Minister in either state that voted. Instead, the PM campaigned exhaustively, asking voters directly for their support. Given the epic political profits of the strategy, the BJP plans more of the same for Delhi.
Advertisement
Speaking to NDTV, Ms Dikshit said, "I am out of Delhi politics." Her advice to her party: "The Congress should not project a Chief Ministerial candidate in Delhi." Ms Dikshit said her party should instead stick to its tradition of elected law-makers choosing their leader once the results are declared.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Delhi University Students Union Elections To Be Held On September 27: All You Need To Know AAP MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam Joins Congress, Praises Rahul Gandhi Congress To Go Solo In Delhi Assembly Polls: State Chief To Party Workers "Sit Quiet": Bhavish Aggarwal As Kunal Kamra Flags Ola EV Issue "Haryana Can Give Me Space": Kumari Selja, A Dalit, Day After Exit Polls Dinner With Kim Jong Un Or George Soros? S Jaishankar Was Asked. His Reply "There's One India": Canada Reaffirms Support For Territorial Integrity New Culinary Gems in Delhi: Exploring The Latest Restaurants To Visit In October-November 2024 Rajasthan Police Constable 2024 Computer Based Test Result Released Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.