Never threatened to resign: Vijay Goel

BJP's Delhi unit president Vijay Goel Monday said he never threatened to quit in the wake of reports that his rival Harsh Vardhan was the front runner as the party's chief ministerial candidate in the capital.

"I never threatened to resign as the media is reporting," Goel told media persons here.

"The decision (to shortlist chief ministerial candidate) will be taken by the party's parliamentary board after holding discussions with all leaders and party workers," he said.

However, the decision must be taken as soon as possible, he added.

Goel Sunday met senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to stake his claim as the party's chief ministerial candidate for the Dec 4 Delhi assembly polls.

According to media reports, Goel threatened to resign from his post if Harsh Vardhan was projected as the chief minister while some reports suggested that he even left the party's Chief Election Committee (CEC) meeting midway Sunday.

"I am not a member of the CEC as I am the president of the state unit. So, how can I leave the meeting midway," asked Goel.

BJP is in a dilemma over projecting a chief ministerial candidate for the assembly polls in Delhi. A section of the party feels that projecting Harsh Vardhan, who has a clean image, will help the party as probity in public life is a key poll issue.

Goel's supporters argue that allegations levelled by adversaries against him have come unstuck and he should be rewarded for his organisational abilities.