(Image source from: Why Kiran Bedi cannot become BJPs CM candidate in Delhi})

Team Anna's Kiran Bedi has been making her eagerness to join the BJP more than obvious. And her repeated signals are being interpreted by BJP leaders as an intention to lead the party in the assembly elections in Delhi.

Recently Kiran Bedi was asked directly whether she would like to lead the BJP in Delhi. Bedi answered in the affirmative saying that she is ready for it provided such an offer is made to her. The former IPS officer said that if the BJP leadership asks her to lead Delhi then she would accept it. Though she had refused earlier, she will accept the offer if made now.

Earlier, Bedi had tweeted: “Let not a single vote go waste! Delhi must reap full rewards of ModiSarkar!” Another of her twitter post said: "I no more rule out entering Indian political service on capability basis. I am moving towards some flexibility in this."

However, things have changed since she was offered the role. Her aspirations to become BJP’s CM candidate in Delhi has not been received well within the saffron party leaders in Delhi.

BJP leaders in Delhi are resentful for two reasons. Firstly, she is not even a member of the BJP and is making an aim for the highest executive post in the state. Secondly, Kiran Bedi's enthusiasm for the BJP comes after the general election results, with the Modi wave sweeping across the nation, including Delhi. The party leaders are of the opinion that she is vying for the job, when it's a 'no risk, all gain' affair.

Delhi BJP president, Dr Harshvardhan, who was BJP's CM candidate last year and is an MP now, said that as far as his knowledge about the party affairs in the state goes the issue, (Kiran Bedi) is a non issue. Meaning, there is no question of projecting Kiran Bedi as BJP's CM candidate in Delhi. The views of other BJP leaders in Delhi were similar – an emphatic `No’ to Kiran Bedi's chief ministerial ambition.

However, BJP leaders have no objection to Bedi joining the party. Their only objection lies in her leading the BJP in Delhi and vying for the CM's post. One BJP leader said that a top position like a CM candidate is not offered to a fresher in the party.

Last year Kiran Bedi had been offered assembly as well as parliamentary tickey, but she refused, according to reports. Apparently, she didn’t want to take a risk as the prospects of BJP was unsure. She reportedly refused to join the BJP and lend her name to the campaign at that time.

Now she wants to thrive on the Modi wave, created after tireless works by the BJP foot soldiers  have yielded victory and a positive attitude for the party, said a woman BJP leader.

However, there are some in the BJP who feel that Kiran Bedi could be of great use in Modi government. Her vast experience and expertise in dealing with the crime, police reforms, prisons, women and child welfare may be profitably utilised by offering her a position in the government and allowing her functional autonomy to a degree.

Another BJP leader feels that Bedi's credentials as an honest upright police officer is well established and she is also a mass mobiliser, a fact that was visinle during the anti-corruption agitation headed by Anna Hazare.

(Picture Source: india-forums.com)
(AW: Pratima Tigga)