In BJP show of unity, Vijay Goel strikes a sour note

Looking bored and uninterested, Goel gave a brief introduction of Vardhan

Although the Bharatiya Janata Party’s city unit wanted to show its house was in order, the bonhomie was clearly missing at the press conference on Thursday.

As the cameras flashed, Nitin Gadkari, the BJP’s Delhi election in-charge, asked a reluctant-looking Vijay Goel to congratulate Harsh Vardhan on the latter’s elevation as the party’s chief ministerial candidate. But, even as they smiled and hugged, Goel’s uneasiness with Vardhan was palpable.

Though Goel, formally the city party head, gave a brief introduction of Vardhan, he looked bored and disinterested. “I do not have to tell you anything about Harsh Vardhan,” said Goel. “He is a popular leader. His contribution towards eradication of polio was appreciated within and outside the country.”

Sensing Goel’s mood, Gadkari tried to do a balancing act. “One chair cannot accommodate more than one person,” said Gadkari and added, “When Harsh Vardhan’s name was announced, he (Goel) welcomed it wholeheartedly. He worked hard to strengthen the party in the last eight months.” Goel just looked away.

With just a month to go for the Assembly election, the Delhi BJP is worried by its own history. Party leaders fear a repeat of 2003 and 2008, when the BJP also lost due to infighting.

The party is trying hard to keep Goel away from Delhi affairs. He has been dissuaded from fighting the Assembly election, instead he will be given a Lok Sabha ticket. The party is also mulling an Assembly ticket to a member of his family. Goel, however, is trying to get involved in the ticket distribution.

The BJP sees the Delhi elections as a rehearsal for the Lok Sabha elections. “It is not an election for Delhi. Delhi symbolises a lot more. The country is going through a difficult phase. Both Delhi and the central government have failed totally,” said Gadkari. The churning in the leadership is unlikely to lead to any significant change in its policies. The party’s manifesto is being finalised by Vardhan, who said he would try to limit public interface between officials and people by putting in place the best possible e-governance model.

“I will put the best software for e-governance. If I have to go to Bangalore, Chennai or even abroad to bring a foolproof software, I will go. Bringing transparency in governance will be our one of the top priorities,” he said.

Vardhan explained how the use of technology can resolve the power crisis. “We can install solar panels on every house to produce power. We will explore use of technology in a big way to improve lives of the citizens,” he added.