With the Delhi Assembly election in sight, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is getting ready to contest the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in key areas). As a top contender in the Greater Kailash (GK) constituency, possibly competing against incumbent MLA and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, former Union minister Smriti Irani is among the leading contenders in the GK contest. Irani is being discussed along with three other female leaders for the prestigious constituency, as per reports in The Indian Express.
Irani’s Potential Candidacy
According to the BJP Delhi unit, Smriti Irani is a charismatic and articulate leader, capable of serving as a counter to the AAP’s Delhi chief [Arvind Kejriwal]. Irani’s image as a “giant slayer,” having resulted from her Lok Sabha election win against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in 2019, lends itself to her candidacy. This photograph along with her scorching rhetoric has led to the Delhi BJP to suggest her name for the GK constituency at a meeting of the party’s Core Committee on Monday.
A senior BJP source stated, “The GK seat has emerged as a very important constituency during our poll discussions. The BJP Delhi election-in-charge, Baijayant Panda, himself requested the consent of all those candidates who are being tried for this constituency.
The final choice finally lies with the BJP’s Central Election Committee but, according to sources, Irani appears to be one of the frontrunners for the ticket.
Other Contenders for Greater Kailash
Besides Irani, there are three other women politicians vying for the GK slot:.
- Arti Mehra: A member of the BJP National Executive and a villager of the constituency.
- Shikha Rai: A sitting councillor from the GK ward who lost to Bharadwaj in the 2020 Assembly elections by a margin of over 16,000 votes.
- Meenakshi Lekhi: A former Union minister, allegedly in favour of contest from Delhi Cantonment constituency.
While these leaders have strong credentials, Irani’s national stature and previous electoral success could give her an edge in the party’s decision-making process.
Concerns Over “Parachute Candidates”
Even though Irani is beloved by the masses, certain BJP leaders hesitate at the thought of a “foreigner” at the ballot in the constituency. The party faced similar criticism in 2015 when it nominated Kiran Bedi as its chief ministerial face, only to secure three seats in the Delhi Assembly. Local leaders worry that such decisions could demotivate grassroots workers and impact voter sentiment.
BJP’s Delhi Strategy
Till now, BJP has declared candidates for 59 out of the 70 Assembly seats in Delhi. Notable figures include:
- Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma: Former West Delhi MP contesting against Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency.
- Ramesh Bidhuri: Former South Delhi MP running against Chief Minister Atishi in Kalkaji.
- Satish Upadhyay: A photo of Delhi BJP former president against Somnath Bharati in Malviya Nagar.
The other applicants, including for GK seat, are expected to be decided shortly.
Key Issues and Challenges
The GK seat has attracted considerable interest owing to its strategic value in the context of competing candidates’ characteristics. BJP seeks to counterroll AAP’s authority in Delhi, a position that AAP has maintained since 2015. Yet the party is challenged to mobilize voter confidence, especially in the face of the AAP party’s strength among important urban populations.
The Road Ahead
In Delhi, the elections are scheduled for February 5 and counting will be held on February 8. Selection of candidates by the BJP, especially in important seats such as GK, is expected to have a significant impact on its performance.
The possible candidacy of Smriti Irani against Saurabh Bharadwaj is likely to bring into focus national-level attention to the GK constituency of sorts, paving the way for a potentially high-stakes election. Given her estimable track record and persuasive public image, Irani holds the potential to be the BJP’s most marginal ally in securing a powerful presence within Delhi politics.
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