'Lost lieutenant' Maken can't fight a war in Delhi: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday described Congress leader Ajay Maken as a lost lieutenant who cannot fight a war in Delhi, adding that the Sonia Gandhi-led party is fighting within its rank and file and not in the assembly elections.

"Yesterday, the Congress has announced the name of Ajay Maken as the leading leader in Delhi. He is a lost lieutenant. How can a lost lieutenant fight a war in Delhi?" said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.

"And we have seen the internal bickering within the Congress as well. On one hand, Ajay Maken is saying that the era of Sheila Dikshit is over. On the other hand, Sheila Dikshit is saying that Ajay Maken should contest the elections from New Delhi. It shows that if the Congress is at all fighting somewhere, it is fighting within the ranks and file it is not fighting in Delhi elections," he added.

Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit earlier in the day said she would not contest the assembly polls. She, however, added that she would actively participate in the campaigning.

"I had already said I will not contest the elections, but will actively participate in the campaigning," she said.

Talking about Maken, Dikshit said it is good that a leader from the new generation has been chosen.

"He has been the MP, has worked in the Centre earlier and has worked in my Cabinet also. He is experienced and is the new face," she added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Congress appointed Maken as chairman of the party's campaign committee for the Delhi Assembly polls.

The Congress has, however, not made it clear whether Maken, who was elected to Delhi Assembly for three consecutive terms since 1993 and lost the Lok Sabha polls last year, would be the chief ministerial candidate.

Delhi goes to polls on February 7 and the counting date has been scheduled for February 10.

Delhi has been under President's rule since February after the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government stepped down after 49 days in power.