BJP accelerates search for Delhi CM, top leaders hold talks

NEW DELHI

BJP president JP Nadda met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday as discussions intensified over selecting the next Delhi Chief Minister, a day after the party ended its 26-year-long wait for power in the national capital.

Senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had previously met at the BJP headquarters following Modi’s victory speech to party workers. With a strong performance across regions and communities, the BJP now has a broad pool of potential CM candidates. Political observers believe the party’s decision will be guided by larger strategic messaging, as seen in previous appointments in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha. Among the prominent names being discussed are Parvesh Verma, the Jat leader who defeated AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, as well as seasoned leaders like Satish Upadhyay, Vijender Gupta, Ashish Sood, and Pawan Sharma.

However, given BJP’s history of picking unexpected candidates, speculation remains high. A senior BJP leader hinted that the party could also consider a leader from the Purvanchal community, a Sikh, or even a woman, based on political calculations. Past selections—Mohan Yadav in Madhya Pradesh, Bhajanlal Sharma in Rajasthan, and Mohan Charan Majhi in Odisha—have shown that the leadership often surprises observers with its choices. BJP’s Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva confirmed that the decision rests with the central leadership, emphasizing that all newly elected MLAs are capable of fulfilling the role. With high public expectations, the party aims to finalize a candidate who aligns with its vision for governance in the capital.