I am not happy from within. I am telling the truth. I had no desire to contest, not even 1 per cent. There is a mindset to contest. I am a senior leader now, will I now ask for votes with folded hands? I had thought I will give speeches and leave. This was my plan, Kailash Vijayvargiya noted.
The BJP stalwart seems to be displeased with his selection for the elections. Kailash Vijayvargiya, the national general secretary of the BJP and a seasoned leader, expressed his astonishment upon finding his name on the candidate list, stating that he had absolutely no intention of contesting this time, not even "1 percent."
According to NDTV: Addressing his supporters at an event, the 67-year-old leader said, "I am not happy from within. I am telling the truth. I had no desire to contest, not even 1 per cent. There is a mindset to contest. I am a senior leader now, will I now ask for votes with folded hands? I had thought I will give speeches and leave. This was my plan."
Mr. Vijayvargiya has been nominated as the candidate for the Indore-1 Assembly constituency. He has previously held positions such as Indore Mayor, served as a cabinet minister in the Madhya Pradesh government, and occupied high-ranking roles within the BJP. Notably, his son, Akash, currently holds the position of MLA for the Indore-3 constituency.
"I had planned eight public meetings -- five by helicopter and three by car. But what you think never happens. What happens in God's will. He wants me to contest elections, go back to the people again. I still can't believe that I am a candidate, that I have been given a ticket," he said to loud cheers from his supporters.
On why the BJP has not named a Chief Minister candidate, Mr Vijayvargiya said the party follows a "collective leadership" model. "Polls are due in four states, but no leader has been announced. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the campaign. This is our strategy," he said.
The selection of the BJP veteran is part of a larger trend in which several prominent figures have been chosen to contest in the Assembly polls this time. The release of the second candidate list on Monday revealed the inclusion of seven Members of Parliament, three of whom are Union Ministers.