CM should be chosen from new legislators: BJP leaders

The new chief minister of Delhi should be chosen from among the newly elected BJP MLAs, a section of party leaders said on Monday amid a buzz over the contenders' names for the top post.

The BJP is going to form its government in Delhi, following its victory in the elections. The saffron party has ousted the AAP from power, winning 48 of the 70 seats in the elections, the results of which were announced on Saturday.

“The new chief minister should be chosen from the newly-elected party MLAs,” BJP’s North West Delhi MP Yogender Chandolia told reporters.

He said among the newly-elected MLAs, there are several competent leaders, including two former Delhi BJP presidents, one national secretary of the party and several former state functionaries who have long political experience.

Another senior Delhi BJP leader also pitched for the elevation of an MLA to the chief minister's post, saying it would honour the people's mandate the party has got.

Among the newly-elected MLAs, names of Parvesh Verma, BJP's Jat face in the Capital who defeated Kejriwal from the New Delhi seat, and former Delhi BJP presidents Vijender Gupta and Satish Upadhya have been cited as frontrunners for the chief minister's chair.

Other probables for the post include senior leaders Ashish Sood and Pawan Sharma, elected from Janakpuri and Uttam Nagar, respectively.

Some leaders feel the party may also place its bets on women legislators such as Rekha Gupta and Shikha Roi. Laxmi Nagar MLA Abhay Verma, a Purvanchali leader, is also among the contenders for the top post.