Probably for the first time in Delhi Assembly elections, no political party is in a position to project a Chief Minister’s face. Though former Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Aravind Kejriwal is unchallengeable leader of the ruling party, due to legal complications they were unable to project him as their Chief Minister’s face.
Both BJP and Congress do not have any popular or dynamic face among their leaders in the national capital to project them as their CM candidate. In the absence of potential local leadership, they are depending largely on their high commands and political heavyweights `imported’ from outside to woo voters.
BJP burnt its fingers earlier once by projecting former IPS officer Kiran Bedi as their Chief Ministerial candidate. She failed to enthuse either the voters or even the BJP cadre. She was made to resign as Puducherry Lieutenant Governor to contest in the elections. After the polls, she is not seen anywhere in public life.
Ironically, although Aravind Kejriwal is the uncrowned leader of the ruling AAP and generally perceived by everyone as AAP’s CM face, he is facing legal complications. Since an apex court order specifically bars him from signing official files or entering the CM’s office, he cannot declare himself as a CM candidate.
The AAP has, perforce, following BJP’s slogan projected a double-engine sarkar of Kejriwal and CM Atishi. The unspoken message is that the faithful aide will carry out her boss’s bidding.
With regard to selection of candidates, AAP is seen in a comfortable position by declaring all its candidates well ahead of announcement of election schedule by the Election Commission of India (ECI). But, both BJP and Congress finding it difficult to finalise their list of candidates. Internal bickering and also uncertainty of identifying a strong candidate makes their choices difficult.
Some already announced candidates are facing rough weather from their own party circles, besides problems of poor public image with their unwarranted comments. Initially, BJP said to be proposed to project former high-profile union minister Smriti Irani. But, after the great advantage it enjoyed with the strong strategic management by RSS cadres, BJP is not in a position to take independent decisions in such matters.