The BJP leadership is considering replacing former Delhi MP and BJP candidate from Kalkaji, Ramesh Bidhuri, according to reports. This comes as many in the party expressed uneasiness at Bidhuri's statements about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
The BJP is reportedly mulling replacing him with a woman candidate, reported The Indian Express.
During his campaigning, Bidhuri said, "just like we improved roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will definitely make all roads in Kalkaji as smooth as Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks". The statement drew widespread condemnation, with the Congress stating that the statement reflected the "cheap mindset" he and his "mentors" in the RSS had towards women. Though he was initially defiant, Bidhuri later took to X to express regret, adding that his remarks had been misconstrued by some for political gains.
His next remark was about Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and her dropping her surname Marlena. "Marlena has become Singh… She changed her father. She was Marlena earlier, but has become Singh now," he said. Atishi broke down while reacting to the statement and slammed Bidhuri for seeking votes by abusing her elderly father. However, Bidhuri said Atishi was doing drama by shedding crocodile tears.
His remarks have, however, irked the BJP leadership with Nadda reprimanding him within minutes of making the statement. So much so that there had been at least two organisational meetings to consider either shifting, if not cancelling the candidature of Bidhuri, the report quoted unnamed BJP insiders. Many reportedly expressed concerns about fielding Bidhuri from a relatively urban constituency like Kalkaji. "His back-to-back statements have added to these doubts,” said a senior BJP leader.
The BJP leadership believes that AAP might use the opportunity to corner BJP and gain more votes. His other contender is also a woman, Congress's Alka Lamba.
As for replacements, the names of former MP Meenakshi Lekhi, state unit vice president Yogita Singh or Manpreet Kaur Kalka are being discussed. However, the talks in this regard are only at a preliminary level. There are also apprehensions as there is no precedent to replacing or removing a candidate announced by the BJP on a particular seat.
Bidhuri, a two-time MP and three-time MLA, is a South Delhi-based Gujjar strongman. He has been an active member of RSS for decades and held important positions such as Delhi BJP general secretary and vice-president.
He has earlier too courted controversies, including last year when he made public statements against BSP MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha.
This is said to have cost him a Lok Sabha seat during the recently concluded Parliament elections.
