BJP banks on clean image

Harsh Vardhan now faces tough task of unifying party workers

Wednesday might have brought down the curtains on the perennial spell of speculations and factional feud over the issue of a chief ministerial candidate in BJP, but the CM hopeful, Harsh Vardhan, faces an uphill task of unifying the rank and file of the party, which is looking at wresting power from Congress after 15 long years.

The BJP leadership has been trying to quell the ‘infighting’' within the party for quite some time. But party leaders said the clean image of Harsh Vardhan, former health minister of Delhi, will fetch results for BJP in the upcoming polls.

“The impact of the decision is visible straightaway. Both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have gone on the defensive. Congress ministers and AAP leaders were targetting Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel, but their reaction on Vardhan ji has been very guarded. Earlier, AAP was accusing Goel ji of being corrupt, but today AAP is saying the entire BJP is corrupt as they have nothing to say against our official CM candidate,” said a senior BJP leader.

Harsh Vardhan, who was health minister between 1993 and 1998 when the BJP government was in Delhi, is known for his simplicity. An RSS member since his childhood, the 59-year-old practicing ENT surgeon is widely known to share a cordial relationship with the RSS.

People close to him said it was RSS’ backing and Harsh Vardhan’s “patience” and “discipline” in waiting for his turn after being denied CM candidature in the 2008 Assembly elections, that tilted the balance in his favour.

“Vardhan and Goel have shown entirely different virtues when facing similar situations. After initial opposition Vardhan accepted the decision of the party to announce V K Malhotra as the CM candidate. He has this image of following the party ideology and interests and being accommodative. Contrast that with the oneupmanship shown by Goel ever since he took over as head of the Delhi unit,” said a BJP leader.

Party leaders feel that Harsh Vardhan, four-time MLA from Krishna Nagar in east Delhi, may prove crucial in improving its fortune Trans-Yamuna area, which sends 16 members to the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

“East Delhi has been a bastion of Congress largely due to the huge number of unauthorised colonies. But in the MCD elections, the equations changed completely. If the party is able to sell the east Delhi connect of Harsh Vardhan coupled with right ticket distribution, we can pull surprises as well,” said a BJP leader.

PARTY PICK

* Born on December 13, 1954
* Schooling from Anglo-Sanskrit Victoria Jubilee Senior Secondary School in Daryaganj
* MBBS and specialisation in ENT from GSVM Medical College in Kanpur
* A practicing ENT surgeon, entered politics in 1993
* Successfully contested Assembly polls from Krishna Nagar constituency in east Delhi in 1993
* Retained Assembly seat in 1998, 2003 and 2008
* Fondly called “doctor saab” by supporters and opponents alike
* Was Delhi health minister between 1993 and 1998
* Known for his efforts in eradicating polio in Delhi
* Credited with bringing Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers’ Health Protection Bill
* Many states followed Delhi’s example, culminating in a legislation banning smoking in public places in 2002
* World Health Organisation felicitated him with the Director-General’s Commendation Medal in May, 1998
* In late 2003, he was appointed as president of Delhi BJP
* In April 2007, BJP recaptured power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and in 2008, BJP emerged victorious in the Delhi Cantonment Board elections under his leadership
* Remained Delhi BJP president for three terms between 2003 and 2008