Vijay Goel denies reports of rift, says 'BJP comes first for him'

Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel on Wednesday rubbished media reports that he was upset over his party naming Dr. Harsh Vardhan as its chief ministerial candidate for the December 4 assembly polls, and said the party has always backed him and stands by him.

Goel said he was delighted and not disappointed over the BJP Parliamentary Board's decision.

"I said this from the start that whatever the parliamentary board says will be final. I am not sad. I am very happy that the BJP Parliamentary Board has decided on Harsh Vardhan," he said.

Goel also expressed confidence that the BJP will defeat the Sheila Dikshit-led Congress in Delhi.

Harsh Vardhan's name as BJP chief ministerial candidate was announced at a press conference by party president Rajnath Singh after a BJP Parliamentary Board meeting here today.

The 58-year-old E.N.T specialist, who is a four-time MLA, will now lock horns with Sheila Dikshit of the Congress and Arvind Kejriwal of the AAP.

The BJP chose Dr. Harsh Vardhan, who played a large role in the national pulse polio campaign as the Health Minister, ahead of Delhi BJP President Vijay Goel.

The BJP believes Dr. Harsh Vardhan has a clean and non-controversial image, among citizens, which could attract votes for the party.

When the BJP Government was in power in Delhi between 1993 and 1998, he served in various capacities in the state cabinet, including as health, law and education minister.