Senior BJP leader and former union minister Smriti Irani, who has been given another opportunity by the BJP after her defeat in Lok Sabha polls through its on-going membership drive, could be projected as the party’s face for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections later this year.
Irani, according to sources, may contest from an important Delhi Assembly constituency. In view of this, she’s bought herself a new house in the city’s posh colony – Greater Kailash. She also had a meeting with the party workers of the constituency. This fires speculation that Irani might be projected as the face of the BJP for Delhi Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, as she has been given charge of BJP’s membership drive of seven districts of the national capital, which effectively makes it two and a half Lok Sabha constituencies area wise, the leader has become more active amongst the party workers. This also supports that she has been promoted to be the main leader for the polls. BJP has followed the same tactics in other states as well.
The political rumors support the theory as Biplab Kumar Deb also become Chief Minister of Tripura in the similar manner. Deb, who was based in
Delhi, was sent to Tripura in 2016 as ‘samprak pframukh’. Later, he was made president of BJP’s Tripura unit and as the BJP won the elections, he was awarded with chief minister ship.
Also, the BJP not having an experienced tall leader in Delhi to take on Delhi Chief Minister and the AAP convincer Arvind Kejriwal is one more reason to promote her in the national capital.
In case the BJP presents her as the party face, it tends to gain ground as Irani has required leadership qualities, and the fact that she defeated Congress’ Rahul Gandhi in Amethi proves the point.
She having worked as union minister for 10 years also makes her illegible for the top rank.
Meanwhile, BJP has the tag of providing Delhi with a woman chief minister as in 1998 it gave the chair to Sushma Swaraj.
Now the party has opportunity to bring in Irani and give Delhi possibly another woman chief minister of future.
Sheila Dixit of Congress ruled Delhi for three terms, hence Irani could also be projected as next woman leader in the national capital. After joining the BJP in 2003, Irani, who won her first election from Chandni Chowk, has an old relationship with Delhi.