BJP plans to pit Kumar Vishwas against Atishi

| | NEW DELHI
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BJP plans to pit Kumar Vishwas against Atishi

Monday, 22 April 2019 | Staff Reporter | NEW DELHI

The much awaited names of candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were declared on Sunday for four of the seven Parliamentary constituencies. Names of three remaining seats are likely to be announced on Monday. The ruling party at the Centre has re-nominated its four sitting Members of Parliaments (MPS) from Delhi. However, another surprise lies in the store as BJP is seriously considering to field AAP rebel Dr Kumar Vishwas from the east Delhi seat. Insiders in the party said that Kumar Vishwas will be in ideal foil for the AAP’s east Delhi candidate Atishi.

The party has fielded its four sitting MPs from Delhi - Dr Harsh Vardhan from Chandni Chowk, Manoj Tiwari from North-east Delhi, Pravesh Verma from West Delhi and Ramesh Bidhuri from South Delhi.

Dr Harsh Vardhan, the union minister for Environment and Forests and Minister for Science & Technology has been fielded from the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat for the second time. He had won this seat in 2014 by defeating Ashutosh of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari has been fielded from Northeast Delhi seat which he had won by defeating Prof Anand Kumar of AAP in 2014. Sources in the party said they were waiting for the AAP-Congress talks of a pre-poll alliance to reach to a conclusion. Once the talks between the two parties failed owing to inherent contradictions, BJP declared four of its candidates. Most importantly candidature for the high-profile New Delhi seat has been withheld and that has lent credence that former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir was still in the running. The seat is held by noted lawyer Meenakashi Lekhi who has been lobbying hard for the re-nomination. Same is the case with Udit Raj, the sitting MP from North West seat and Maheish Girri from the east Delhi seat.

Sources further said that party leadership was deliberating to change the candidates and names of former Mayor Dr Anita Arya who had won from the erstwhile Karol Bagh seat is being considered too.

 Maheish Girri’s candidature is also under the cloud as former AAP leader Dr Kumar Vishwas’ has emerged who could replace the sitting MP. Vishwas has been seen visiting BJP leaders quite regularly and is keen to contest from East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, they said.

Ramesh Bidhuri, the sitting MP from South Delhi from won his re-nomination as he is considered a formidable candidate from this seat, a Delhi BJP leaders said.

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