Meenakshi Lekhi retained by BJP, Gautam Gambhir the newcomer

NEW DELHI: After much thought, BJP on Monday decided to retain sitting MP Meenakshi Lekhi in New Delhi while naming former cricketer Gautam Gambhir from East Delhi. There was also a buzz that Punjabi sufi singer Hansraj Hans will be fielded from North West Delhi even though the party was yet to formally announce it.
Following Gambhir’s induction into the party this month, speculation was rife that BJP might replace Lekhi with him. But sources said Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s apology on a petition filed by Lekhi seeking criminal contempt action against him worked in her favour. “Also, with the announcement of Sheila Dikshit’s name as Congress candidate, the party could not take the risk of not having a woman contesting in Delhi,” said a source.

Gambhir has been moved to East Delhi replacing sitting MP Maheish Girri. “His father has a readymade garments business in east Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar. Also, party workers wanted him to contest from there. Being a youth icon and an international cricketer, he enjoys huge popularity,” BJP Delhi’s media in-charge Pratyush Kanth said.

“In a cricket fanatic country, cricketers are revered. Gautam Gambhir is young and can easily win the polls,” said another leader

From North West Delhi, the BJP is likely to field Hans. Sources said sitting MP Udit Raj’s name was also in the reckoning but the Dalit leader lost out in the race for ticket after his sudden outburst against the party on Monday afternoon. “To ensure that Hans has all his documents in place and doesn’t owe the government anything, the formal announcement has been delayed,” said another source.

While BJP declared its candidates for North East Delhi, Chandni Chowk, West Delhi and North West Delhi on Sunday, sources said there were prolonged discussions on the candidates for the remaining three seats. Sources said several internal surveys and feedback from the local party functionaries and workers indicated that the sitting MPs on these three seats were not as popular.

BJP was also keeping a close watch on the outcome of alliance talks between Congress and AAP, and was prepared to rejig the list and replace most sitting MPs had the two parties joined hands.