BJP Eyes Smriti Irani As Potential Face For Delhi Chief Minister: A Tactical Move Against Atishi?

Will the BJP bring forward former Union Minister Smriti Irani to present her as the Delhi Chief Minister’s face? Will it be a masterstroke by the saffron party to counter Atishi Marlena of the Aam Aadmi Party? Though the BJP has not made any official statement, it is clear that she would be given a major responsibility by the party. The political observers believe the saffron party will ask Irani to take control of the election, she may be entrusted with chalking out strategy, planning the campaign, selecting candidates, and spearheading the campaign.

From Political Wilderness To Limelight

The former union minister was in the political wilderness after losing to Congress candidate Kishori Lal, whom she derided by calling ‘a servant of the Gandhi family.’ Despite a high-octane campaign in which many union ministers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned, she lost by a big margin. Though she found a berth in the first Modi government in 2014 despite losing the polls to Rahul Gandhi, the prime minister was not that kind to her this time.

BJP To Pitch Smriti Irani Against Atishi

Political observers believe Smriti Irani may be pitched against Atishi Marlena, whom the AAP has put at the forefront to take on the saffron party on the issue of good governance, besides being a woman. The former Textiles Minister contested unsuccessfully against Congress candidate Kapil Sibal from the Chandni Chowk constituency in Delhi.

Smriti Irani campaigned for Vijay Goel in the New Delhi constituency in 2009.

Smriti Irani To Checkmate Aarvind Kejriwal

Known for her rhetorical speeches and anti-Gandhi family rants, Irani may prove to be a good match for former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. As Kejriwal has quit over allegations of being involved in a Delhi liquor scam, Smriti Irani may be used to hit him hard in the election campaign. She could be a checkmate to the former Delhi chief minister because of her clean image, though her daughter’s name was dragged in the alleged financial irregularities committed by Silly Souls Cafe and Bar in Goa.

BJP Moves Cautiously

However, the BJP leadership wants to play safe and keep the entire issue in a low profile considering the potential discontent among the old bigwigs of the party. Delhi’s BJP stalwarts like Manoj Tiwari, Pradeep Khandelwal, Kamajeet Sherawat, and Bansuri Swaraj may find it difficult to accept Smriti Irani as their leader in the city-state.

Three-time MP and former BJP chief of Delhi unit, Manoj Tiwari may emerge as a stronger contender for the chief minister’s office if the BJP wins the forthcoming Delhi Assembly Elections.

BJP Stalwarts Waiting In Wings

Bansuri Swaraj is new to the party and she won her maiden election from Delhi in the Lok Sabha election this year. Daughter of former BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj, Bansuri has etched her place in the Delhi BJP and it will be difficult for the saffron party to ignore or sideline her.

Similarly, Pradeep Khandelwal and Kamajeet Sherawat are seasoned politicians and old hands of the party and they simply cannot be ignored.

Trudging cautiously, the saffron party is not taking risks and so it has not declared anyone as the chief minister’s face. The BJP may put forward Smriti Irani to the forefront without declaring her as the chief minister’s face.