Even as the BJP battles to quell ‘infighting’ within the party over its chief ministerial candidate, the party tried to show a united face of its Delhi unit as all the ‘warring’ leaders shared the stage at a function organised to induct some BSP leaders.
Unlike earlier, when all such functions were held at the party’s office in Delhi, Thursday’s function was held at former president and Delhi polls in-charge Nitin Gadkari’s residence amidst speculations that the party would decide to declare city’s former health minister Dr Harshvardhan as its CM candidate, which has been opposed by Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel.
Trying to put curtains on the speculations of infighting, Gadkari also lauded the efforts and achievements of the senior party leaders. “Everybody in the party is working together. BJP is a democratic party, so debate and discussions are but natural. It is election time. Media keeps running some reports. The fact is that Vijay Goel has done a wonderful job. Not a single charge of corruption has been levelled against him ever,” said Gadkari.
The former president also praised the political career of leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijay Kumar Malhotra stating that he has been serving the party when it was miles away from being in power. Gadkari praised Dr Harshvardhan saying that he is coming up with ‘party’s manifesto that would incorporate the vision of the party for all sections of the society'.
Those who attended the function includes Vijay Goel, VK Malhotra, Harshvardhan, Jagdish Mukhi, Arti Mehra and Vijendra Gupta. However, all leaders, barring Goel, reached Gadkari's residence before the function. Gadkari had a closed door meeting with the leaders as well. Playing down the incident, Gadkari thanked Goel for attending the function. “Had Goel not turned up for the function, media would have run different headlines,” said Gadkari.
While the party tried to sell the message that peace prevails within the party, several of Goel’s supporters visited the national headquarters of the party at 11, Ashoka Road, and Gadkari’s residence in a show of strength. Sources in the party, however, said party president refused to meet them.