BJP plans to form shadow cabinet to keep a check on AAP ministers

NEW DELHI: BJP's chief ministerial candidate, Harsh Vardhan, who will be the leader of the opposition in the Delhi assembly, said on Friday that he would allot a specific department to each BJP leader for acting as a shadow minister to keep a check on AAP ministers. At his first meeting with the party MLAs, Vardhan said sometimes more than one MLA would shadow an important department to ensure the government fulfills its responsibilities.

Vardhan said the MLAs had discussed whether to propose a name for the post of speaker or not. However, the debate had remained inconclusive and a final call will now be taken by central leaders. "I have taken suggestions from all MLAs and will communicate these to the central leadership," he said.

"We are the single largest formation but we did not make an attempt to form the government. We will expose the chicanery of AAP-Congress before the people thoroughly and soon come to power with an overwhelming mandate," he said.

Meanwhile, party president Vijay Goel announced a string of voter mobilisation programmes across Delhi in the coming days and another to spread "Vote for Modi, vote for strong India" message ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "The party has planned to hold workers' meetings in all seven Lok Sabha constituencies, besides youth and women conferences at the ward level to strengthen its position. "Special campaign kits highlighting Gujarat's development model and achievements of Narendra Modi will also be distributed at the booth level," Goel said. "A chintan shivir will be held in early January to discuss the course of action. A special membership drive, with greater focus on youth and women, besides professionals such as lawyers, charted accountants, doctors and teachers, will be launched," added Goel.

"The party also launched a website www.india272.com as a party-people connect initiative. People can also connect with it by giving a missed call at number 0782007820," added Goel.

The party is holding its Abhinandan Rally at Talkatora Stadium on Saturday. The rally will be addressed by senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and Navjot Singh Siddhu. "We are organizing this rally to express our gratitude to people of Delhi for their support. This is also an occasion for us to reiterate our commitment to work for the betterment of the people of Delhi," said Goel.