New Delhi: After the BJP’s potential victory in the Delhi elections, speculation has swirled around the selection of the next Chief Minister. The situation mirrors past occurrences in Delhi, where the saffron party made a comeback after 27 years, with various names in the mix.
Based on recent BJP trends in Maharashtra, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, it is likely the party will opt for an elected MLA to assume the CM role. This narrows down the list to five possible contenders: Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal and comes from a family with a Chief Ministerial legacy; Vijender Gupta, the former Leader of Opposition with the largest victory margin among BJP candidates; Shikha Roy, the sole woman on the list who triumphed over AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj; Satish Upadhyay, a former state unit chief; and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the BJP’s prominent Sikh face in Delhi.
Non-MLA options
However, if the BJP opts for a non-MLA CM, several MPs and the state president, Virender Sachdeva, come into play. Sachdeva has been instrumental in resolving internal conflicts within the BJP’s Delhi unit. Since Delhi lacks a legislative council, the party would have to hold a bypoll and vacate an MLA seat to accommodate a non-MLA CM. This opens the door for MPs such as Manoj Tiwari, Bansuri Swaraj, and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri to be considered.
The importance of Purvanchali voters in the BJP’s victory is another factor that could influence the decision, especially with the upcoming Bihar elections in mind. Sources suggest that the party may also consider promoting a grassroots leader who has risen through the ranks, as the BJP’s success in Delhi came after a prolonged gap.
Development top quality
The choice will be heavily influenced by the urgency of implementing development in Delhi, with expectations that tangible results should be visible within six months, according to a senior BJP leader. This focus on a “development-oriented” leader could be crucial in the final decision.
Additionally, there is speculation that the BJP may opt for a deputy CM to ensure a balanced caste representation. While the party appointed two deputies in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan last year, it did not do so in Haryana. Despite Delhi’s small 70-seat assembly, maintaining balance within the party may be a key consideration in this decision.
