While two former associates of Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal joining the BJP, the electoral rivalry between the two parties has acquired a new dimension. The BJP is expected to field the former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, who was connected with the Anna movement, as its chief ministerial candidate against Mr. Kejriwal in his constituency.
Ms. Bedi, repeatedly called an “able administrator” by senior BJP leaders, spelt out her “comprehensive plans” for the city on Friday.
Shazia Ilmi, the other new entrant to the BJP, has said that she will not contest the election and it is time to go beyond identity politics. Ms. Ilmi is considered a big bet for the BJP to attract minority votes. “The new blueprint of the BJP stands for change and development. I was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that is why I am joining the BJP,” she said.
On the issue of alleged conversions, Ms. Ilmi said she did not support “forced” conversions and the BJP had nothing to do with the matter.
Ms. Bedi praised party president Amit Shah’s leadership. “I am not doing this alone ... the party is amazing, the kind of leadership Amit Shah is providing ... absolutely thrilled to see his kind of organisation, his vision, his leadership, his skills and thoroughness,” she said at an interaction with select presspersons.
Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati has taken on both the BJP and the AAP as she reached out to Dalits and under-privileged sections.
Ms. Mayawati, who on Thursday announced that the BSP would contest all 70 Assembly seats in Delhi, slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre for misleading the people by promising them ache din (better days).
The Congress on Thursday released a list of 15 candidates, who included President Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter Sharmishtha, who will make her electoral debut in the city.
Six-P formulaMs. Bedi spoke about her blueprint for the capital, and identified women’s security, cleanliness and availability of essential amenities as major issues to tackle. However, she admitted that it was “too early to say... [spell out]” her plans for the city. She was doing so with the assumption that one was in a position to take decisions.
Ms. Bedi said she did not think full statehood for Delhi was a central issue, and said the safety of women in the capital was the main issue.
“I have been writing and explaining a six-P formula which is a holistic approach to women’s security. The first is ‘People,’ which will include parents, principals and community leaders, and the second is ‘Politician,’ those who make rules, resources, regulations and laws. The third is the ‘Police,’ which is both the response and the prevention; fourth is ‘prosecution,’ fifth is ‘prison’ and the last is the ‘Press.’”
Later, Ms. Bedi addressed BJP workers at the State unit’s headquarters with all senior leaders in attendance, including Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, former presidents Vijay Goel and Vijender Gupta, Meenakshi Lekhi, MP, and Ms. Ilmi.
