Vardhan says ready take on Dikshit, calls it a 'routine exam'

Confident of defeating Congress govt, says people were fed up with "misrule" and "failures"

Tasked to bring the party to power in Delhi after 15 years in wilderness, BJP's chief ministerial nominee Harsh Vardhan today said he is not "tense" before any "exam" and is ready to face the challenge posed by his rival Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit.

 

The 59-year-old ENT surgeon, known for his disarming simplicity and clean image, said he does not consider his "soft demeanour" a disadvantage in the harsh world of politics and was confident of defeating the Congress government as people of the city were fed up with it's "misrule" and "failures" on all fronts.

 

"I used to study before the exams and leave nothing for the last day. I have never been tense in my life. In politics, election time is exam time. I am not tense. I take things in a very cool manner. It is just like a routine exam," a smiling Vardhan said.

 

The former Health Minister, fondly called "Doctor Saab" by supporters and opponents alike, said he was very much looking forward to the electoral battle against Congress led by Dikshit, and promised to provide a transparent and people-friendly government, if his party comes to power.

 

"If tomorrow morning, they (Congress) change her (as leader of party) the first man who'll be disappointed will be me. I welcome the challenge and I am sure after few weeks from now, we'll see Delhi freed from the inefficient and corrupt regime and the present Chief Minister," he told PTI.

 

Asked whether his being "too much of a gentleman" may be disadvantageous in the electoral battle, he said he cannot compromise on his principles to win the polls.

 

"If Delhiites feel that being a gentleman or being a soft person or being an honest person is a disadvantage, I would prefer to have that disadvantage rather than only craving for power. Because that is something which I cannot compromise," said Vardhan.

 

The former Health Minister felt a hype has been created around Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Admi Party which will not translate into electoral gains for the new entrant into politics.

 

Flaunting his achievement as health minister from 1993 to 1994, Vardhan said his contribution in eradicating polio in Delhi has been well appreciated by various stakeholders including the World Health Organisation.