Return of Harsh Vardhan to Delhi politics unlikely: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: BJP may declare the names of its new Delhi unit chief and the leader of its legislature party here in the next few days, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said today even as he ruled out the return of his Cabinet colleague Harsh Vardhan to local politics.

Gadkari, who is the in-charge for BJP's Delhi affairs, said that the party has not taken any decision on forming the government in Delhi but indicated that it may name its new city unit chief in three-four days.

Appearing on Rajat Sharma's show, 'Aap ki Adalat', on 'India TV', the former BJP President said Harsh Vardhan's return to Delhi politics may not be possible at the moment as the party had taken a decision that none of its elected MPs should resign.

"The party has decided that elected MPs would not resign. The return of Harsh Vardhan to Delhi (politics) is not possible now," he said. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan is the current Delhi BJP chief and was projected by the party as its chief ministerial candidate for the last Assembly polls here.

"We will declare the names of our Delhi party chief and leader of legislature party within three-four days. There is no hitch. The decision can be taken within two hours," Gadkari was quoted in a press release issued by the channel.

Gadkari, the Union Road Transport Minister, also dismissed allegations by AAP that BJP was trying to encourage defection among its MLAs. He also said that, "Several leaders in Congress are worried and disenchanted with Rahul Gandhi's leadership. They do often meet our leaders (but) I have not officially met them nor has the BJP decided to take their support."