Dhawan, who enjoys a considerable clout among weaker sections in the city, said, "the party (BJP) is like mother to me and in the interest of the nation and party and to help Narendra Modi become the Prime Minister, I have decided to support Kirron Kher."
Dhawan said this after a meeting with his supporters at his residence here.
He said it was not his habit to stab on the back though "he had been back stabbed" in the past.
"My supporters were confident that I will be the BJP's choice. My name was on top in the internal survey of the party, but due to unknown reasons I was denied the ticket at the last minute," he said.
"BJP national president Rajnath Singh and senior leader Arun Jaitley had spoken to me over phone. Our target is to ensure the defeat of Pawan Kumar Bansal (sitting Congress MP)," he said.
Reacting to Dhawan's support for her, Kirron said, "BJP is like a family and its members are working for a common cause. Dhawan has a big heart and he gave me his blessings."
Tandon said anti-incumbency factor would derail the Congress rule in Chandigarh this time.
"There is resentment among people against Bansal and they are looking forward to a corruption-free system," he said.
Soon after Kirron was declared the party's candidate from here, she faced resistance from a section of disgruntled BJP workers. She was picked by the party after rejecting claims by local BJP chief Sanjay Tandon and twice former MP Satya Pal Jain.
Kirron yesterday went to Dhawan's residence to placate him.
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