Ajay Maken is Cong's new poster boy

The Congress party’s newly appointed national general secretary is the new poster boy of Delhi. Ever since his appointment, Maken’s hoardings have come up in the city along with those of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. Interestingly, these posters completely omit Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit. It is an indication that after 15 long years, Congress sees an alternative for Delhi in Maken. He is also being seen as a balancing factor for Delhi not for now maybe, but definitely after the parliamentary polls in 2014. 

Many in the Congress feel that it is a gradual shift in the party from an ageing Dikshit to a much younger Maken. “It is like making space for Maken in the Delhi arena. However, there is no doubt that elections will be contested under the leadership of Dikshit,” said a senior Congress leader.

The decision on whether Maken will head the Delhi government, if Congress comes to power for the fourth time, is likely to be taken only after the Delhi assembly elections. “Giving a bigger portfolio to Maken is a message for the Delhi leadership. The high command wants Delhi to realise that it has another potential face to take up the reins in Delhi,” added the leader.

He, however, confirmed that the party will not announce Maken as the chief ministerial candidate before the elections. “Dikshit has been a popular face in Delhi and the party will not risk a new face at this time. While Maken is equally popular and has a clean image, we are not looking at any immediate change in the leadership,” he added.

The opposition parties, including the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party, feel that it is an internal issue of the Congress. “It may be an attempt by the party to replace a corrupt face with a fresh face. If Maken replaces Dikshit it will be a victory for the AAP. We have been leading our campaign against Dikshit. If she is replaced, our battle is half won,” said the AAP spokesperson Manish Sisodia. He, however, said that as of now their strategy is aimed at targeting Dikshit.

The BJP, however, feels that projecting any face is an internal matter of the party and that it will continue its campaign on the prevailing issues, including price rise, corruption and inflated power tariffs. “It can be a game-plan of the Congress, but the general public is very intelligent. Maken or Sheila, Yamuna will still remain dirty and power tariffs will remain high. We are fighting the elections on those lines,” said the Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel.