New Delhi:The BJP Parliamentary Board today named Dr Harsh Vardhan as the parties Chief Ministerial candidate for Delhi Assembly elections.

The decision was taken after an hour-long meeting of the Parliamentary Board here.The announcement was made by BJP president Rajnath Singh at a crowded press conference here. Singh was flanked by Harsh Vardhan and Vijay Goel.

Senior party leader L.K. Advani recalled the importance of Delhi in the growth of the BJP.He lauded the work done by Vijay Goel and Harsh Vardhan.

Soon after the decision was taken, Aam Aadmi chief Arvind Kejriwal called Harsh Vardhan as Delhis Manmohan Singh. In a tweet he asked what Vardhan did to check corruption in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The Congress too took a jibe at the BJP saying the party first fought for the PM post and now it is the CMs post in Delhi.

With Harsh Vardhan emerging as the CM candidate, Delhi BJP President Vijay Goel has been shunted out.

“The campaigning has been seriously affected (because of the infighting). Party workers have lost steam. We are in a difficult situation,” said a senior Delhi BJP leader requesting anonymity.

Asked about the atmosphere in the party over the issue, Vardhan said, “individuals and positions are not important. What is important is ideology and vision of the party.”

He said there was no division in the party and that it was totally united. Party sources said the decision on projecting Vardhan had been conveyed to Goel, his bete noire. Goel has been asked to accept the decision without creating any fuss, they added.

He had reportedly threatened to resign from the post of Delhi unit president when told about the likelihood of Vardhan being made the Chief Ministerial candidate. Sources in the party said almost all 14 district presidents were appointed by Goel and they were unsure about whom to report now.