New Delhi [India]: Amid speculation over who will be the next Chief Minister of Delhi, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal reaffirmed on Wednesday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a workers-based party and that its national leadership will choose a dedicated leader to transform Delhi into a world-class city.
“BJP is a workers-based party. Whenever such a situation arises, the party’s national leadership takes the decision. In the case of Delhi, it is the same. BJP aims to make Delhi a world-class city. The national leadership of the party will nominate one dedicated BJP worker who will lead Delhi,” Khandelwal told mdia.
The BJP secured a landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, the results of which were declared on February 8. The party won a two-thirds majority, marking a major setback for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which saw a drastic reduction in its numbers in the 70-member assembly. The Congress continued its poor electoral performance, failing to secure a single seat.
The BJP, which last governed Delhi between 1993 and 1998, won 48 seats in a historic mandate, returning to power in the national capital after 27 years. Several key AAP leaders, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, lost in their strongholds. However, outgoing Chief Minister Atishi managed to retain her seat.
Meanwhile, Atishi submitted her resignation at Raj Niwas following the BJP’s victory. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, in response, reminded her that he had repeatedly cautioned the government on key public interest issues, particularly the cleaning of the Yamuna River.
Following the election results, Saxena officially dissolved the Seventh Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, paving the way for a new BJP-led government. The party is yet to announce its chief ministerial candidate.