Will BJP be able to defang AAP? All you need to know about recent influxes in Saffron party
Amidst recent rumblings in political corridors, 2015 Delhi Assembly poll is being termed as mother of all the recently held elections.
Even the 2014 Lok Sabha election where Congress-led UPA was routed by Modi's BJP had not generated this much of the enthusiasm in people and political circles.
The reason being, result of the Lok Sabha election was almost predicted because the anti-incumbency was so high against UPA. But situation is not the same in this election as Delhi has been under President rule for quite some time now. Moreover, Arvind Kejriwal led AAP has high credibility in comparison to Congress in 2014 Lok Sabha election.
No anti-incumbency this time
Recent election results proved that BJP ruled the roost wherever there was anti-incumbency against the Government. In capital, BJP is in direct fight with Arvind Kejriwal led AAP which really has good support base in comparison to saffron party which only banks upon Modi wave. Before Kiran Bedi, BJP's State leadership was in a tattered condition.
This assembly election is really very crucial for both BJP and AAP as the result will change the dynamics of the working style of both the parties.
Is BJP nervous?
With the recent poaching of AAP and Congress leaders, one thing is clear that BJP is in the state of nervousness. It is being said that the saffron party itself was apprehensive about Modi wave in the capital. Party leaders were skeptical that Kejriwal's AAP might outweigh re-surging BJP in the poll. Apparently because of this reason, BJP high command decided to make former associates of AAP to fight against Kejriwal's party. It will be really interesting to see how the dividends will be paid to the BJP by these defectors in the coming election.
Let's analyse what are the advantages and disadvantages of recent influxes within BJP
Kiran Bedi
Advantages
Known as an honest IPS officer having good record on administrative front.
First woman IPS officer who has good support base among Delhi voters.
Being part of Anna Hazare team, she will give tough fight to AAP on corruption front.
Can claim Modi+ Bedi will change the "dasha and disha" of the Delhi.
Disadvantages
She
can
make
BJP's
top
leadership
insecure
in
the
national
capital.
Some of the disgruntled leaders are Jagdish Mukhi and Manoj Tiwari.
Reportedly, some party workers also have apprehensions about her 'police like' attitude.
Vinod Kumar Binny
Former AAP leader had won 2013 Delhi State election from Lakshmi Nagar area. Binny left party after he was denied ministry in Kejriwal's 49-day Government. Since then he has been spitting venom against Kejriwal and his party AAP.
Advantages
It
is
being
believed
that
he
has
some
support
base
and
that
is
why
he
defeated
Congress's
stalwart
A
K
Walia
from
prestigious
Lakshmi
Nagar
seat
in
2013.
Outspoken leader has grudges against AAP leader Kejriwal which may work in BJP's favour.
Binny will try to prove his mettle against AAP's Manish Sisodia from Patparganj.
Disadvantages
Overambitious
If he will defeat Sisodia, chances are high that he will compel party to make him Minister.
Anti-Kejriwal image might bring him disadvantage.
Shazia
Ilmi
Journalist-turned-politician
was
defeated
in
both
Delhi
assembly
election
and
Lok
Sabha
poll.
Shazia
Ilmi
tried
hard
but
lost
Delhi
Assembly
election
from
R
K
Puram
seat
on
AAP
ticket.
She wished to fight Lok Sabha election from any of the seats of Delhi but was pushed to Ghaziabad. She fought against BJP candidate, former Army chief VK Singh but failed to secure victory.
Advantages
Being
a
known
face,
it
will
help
BJP
to
get
some
women
votes.
May
help
BJP
to
woo
Muslim
voters.
She
has
clout
in
Muslim
dominated
areas
of
Delhi
like
Chandni
Chowk,
Matia
Mahal,
Gandhinagar
and
Ballimaran
Assembly
seats.
Disadvantages
Prone
to
create
controversies.
Averse
to
fight
election.
Party
leaders
may
not
accept
her
seeing
her
past
record
in
AAP.
Krishna
Tirath
She
has
been
four
time
MLA
from
Karol
Bagh.
Dalit
leader
Tirath
was
minister
in
UPA-2.
Advantages
Dalit
face
may
help
BJP
to
lure
this
large
chunk
of
voters.
With
Tirath
in
BJP,
party
may
eye
for
12
reserved
seats
in
Delhi.
AAP
had
won
most
of
the
these
seats
last
time.
Disadvantages
Discontentment
among
party
workers
for
bringing
her
in
party
fold.
Congress
leader
had
failed
to
defend
her
Lok
Sabha
seat
which
may
go
against
her.