Smriti Irani’s increased involvement in the party’s activities in Delhi has sparked discussions about her candidacy.
New Delhi: The speculation is growing within the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the party may enter the upcoming Assembly elections with a chief ministerial candidate. Among the potential names being considered are sitting MPs as well as former Union Minister Smriti Irani, who is seen as a strong contender to be the face of the Delhi BJP. Additionally, the party is expected to implement significant organisational changes in Delhi during Navratri in October, following the Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
A source within the BJP said that Irani’s increased involvement in party activities in Delhi has sparked discussions about her potential candidacy for the 2025 Assembly elections. The source mentioned that during a recent meeting, union ministers sought suggestions on who could be the face of the party’s Delhi election campaign. Several names were discussed, including Smriti Irani, who recently lost the Amethi Lok Sabha seat to Congress’s Kishori Lal.
“Other names considered were Praveen Khandelwal, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Manoj Tiwari, and Bansuri Swaraj. The MPs are being evaluated based on their popularity and their respective caste and community affiliations,” the source added.
A senior BJP leader, on condition of anonymity, stated, “Several options are being considered, including the one of fielding Smriti Irani, with the national leadership close to making a final decision. Alternatively, the party may choose a popular incumbent Lok Sabha MP to lead the Delhi Assembly elections. If an MP is elected as chief minister, they could be replaced by a former union minister.”
This marks the first time in a decade that the BJP is contemplating of projecting a chief ministerial candidate for its Delhi election campaign. However, BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva refrained from commenting, saying it is too early to discuss the matter and that the final decision will be made by the central leadership.
Sanjay Kumar, a psephologist, noted that the BJP has faced six consecutive defeats in Delhi since losing power in 1998, including the 2015 election where Kiran Bedi was the chief ministerial candidate. With AAP’s popular leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi in the spotlight, BJP is likely concerned about Atishi’s potential to mobilise women voters. To counter AAP’s appeal to women voters, BJP may be positioning itself by projecting a strong female candidate with Smriti Irani, which seems like a favourable choice. As a seasoned politician, firebrand orator, and former union minister, she is well-connected with the public and has significant political experience. Whether or not she can mobilise the vote remains to be seen, but the strategy appears sound.
Kumar added, “In my opinion, Smriti Irani seems like the most suitable choice compared to the other potential candidates. The other two lack the political experience and recognition that Smriti Irani enjoys. While she may not be as young as someone like Bansuri Swaraj or Kamaljeet Sehrawat, she still fits the category of a young political leader and is well-established in politics. Of the three, I believe she would be the best choice for BJP.”