New Delhi, January 16, 2025 – A move that has left political analysts and the people of Delhi dumbfounded and intrigued-hurt and helped by the BJP-may name Ramesh Bidhuri, an old timer on the political scene with a history of controversial speech and behavior, as a draw in the chief ministerial sweepstakes for the coming Delhi Assembly elections. The choice comes as a big gamble for the BJP to reclaim the capital after a very long gap from power on the state front.
The Controversial Choice Ramesh Bidhuri
Ramesh Bidhuri is someone who has been long in Indian politics and has the credit of being a two-time MP from South Delhi and a three-time MLA, and particularly a very polarizing figure. He is a very loud man and has often been heard bickering with political opponents, which has earned him the name of ‘galibaaz’ or ‘abuser’ in some sections. His last derogatory comments, which hark back to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Delhi CM Atishi, have not gone well; however, the BJP seems to bank on his local and grassroots power to swing their fortunes at the polls.
The Dynamics of the Decision
It’s the time BJP now projects Bidhuri as its CM face; the juggernaut, with all its internal and external circumstances, decided not to squeeze even more than that. AAP has its friends-“by the grace of Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi.” BJP has been reconfiguring itself in the face of this. Watching the names of candidates being rolled out, it can be seen that one such is Bidhuri, whose intense debate reached even to the ears of AAP leaders, including Delhi CM Atishi, after they alleged that BJP had indeed decided to project him as the CM candidate.
This move has been interpreted in several ways:
- Grassroots Appeal: Bidhuri has been a long-time resident of South Delhi, one who has been active at the local level, and may appeal to voters looking for a familiar face.
- Polarizing Politics: His controversial methods could polarize the electorate into two sections: on one, galvanizing BJP’s core supporters, and the other, alienating the middle ground.
- Countering AAP’s Narrative: With the choice of a person whose public persona is combative, it appears that the BJP may try to counter the AAP’s narrative on governance and welfare with a direct confrontation.
Public and Political Reactions
The announcement has elicited a wide range of responses. On the one hand, BJP supporters have come in support of Bidhuri for his straightforwardness and history of standing tall in front of political opponents. On the other hand, the opposition parties, especially AAP, have taken this opportunistic moment to make affirmations against the past remarks of Bidhuri, which seems to reflect the desperation of BJP. In a recent press conference, Atishi accused the BJP of honoring the “abusive” rhetoric of Bidhuri, suggesting that this move would be celebrated as part of the strategy of BJP to win at any cost.
A point further rumbled up in which Arvind Kejriwal, AAP’s National Convenor, challenged Bidhuri to a public debate with the question, “What has he done for Delhi as an MP and what he thought for the city would be if made CM?” No response came forth from Bidhuri, who has, however, chosen to speak of not being a candidate for any post and self-defining AAP as a propagating misrepresentation.
Election Strategy and Implications
Even though it seems that BJP is planning to project Bidhuri as a local face for Kalkaji and the adjoining constituencies, there is certainly discomfort within the ranks of BJP regarding his candidature. Even talks about a possible substitution for a female candidate on account of Bidhuri’s recent controversies have been held. This state of internal discord mirrors the overarching problem of the BJP: balancing its aggressive political strategy with the need to widen its appeal to the electorate in Delhi, voters in this constituency being highly sophisticated in terms of their voting patterns.
There are certain widespread implications that arise from this electoral choice:
- Voter Sentiment: The Bidhu-ri candidacy could be an opportunity to gauge voter sentiment across the spectrum of Delhi’s electorate as to how much they value local representation over political propriety.
- Party Image: It puts the BJP on a fine line between maintaining their image as a party of governance and order versus being seen as endorsers or, at the very least, tolerators of divisive politics.
- Opposition Strategy: This has gifted AAP and Congress a central issue that can perhaps rally their base together with a unified criticism for BJP’s selection.
The Road Ahead
With every passing day leading toward February 5, all will be watching how this announcement breaks into public discourse and on the ground. The BJP must manage the narrative around Bidhuri in such a way that his candidacy does not eclipse the party’s bigger themes of development, nationalism, and governance in campaigning.
For Bidhuri, this is an opportunity and challenge – to either make a name for himself in Delhi politics or, conversely, his career might end being dubbed a controversial.
In the final analysis, it would be the Delhi electorate, highly seasoned in political wars, that would determine whether BJP has benefited or been bitten by the backlash of bringing out Ramesh Bidhuri as their CM face in one of the shrewdest political cities in India.
