Kiran Bedi, 65, is a former IPS officer and activist, who joined the BJP, and politics, only last week. She will contest from the Krishna Nagar constituency, traditionally a BJP stronghold, so that she can focus on campaigning for the party, Mr Shah said.

"The BJP will fight the Delhi elections under Kiran Bedi's leadership," Mr Shah said, adding, "We are confident that under her leadership we will get a majority."

Ms Bedi said after the announcement, "Mai kahungi, 'bahut bahut dhanyavaad' (I will say many thanks). I am very grateful to the BJP leaders."



Tonight's decision pits Ms Bedi directly against her former associate Arvind Kejriwal who is the chief ministerial candidate of his Aam Aadmi Party. Ms Bedi and Mr Kejriwal had worked together with Gandhian activist Anna Hazare's team during his campaign for a Lokpal or national ombudsman against graft, but later fell out.

AAP leader Somnath Bharti said after the announcement, "Kiran Bedi ji has unnecessarily been made the scapegoat. If they lose, they don't want to put the blame on Modi ji."

Kiran Walia, senior Congress leader said, "She would be a good disciplinarian for BJP if at all she becomes the chief minister".



Amit Shah denied reports of a rift or dissent in the party over Ms Bedi being para-dropped into the Delhi unit. "The decision to make Kiran Bedi the party's chief ministerial candidate for Delhi was supported by all members," he added.

There has reportedly been some heartburn in the BJP's Delhi's unit over Ms Bedi, but dissent has for most part not been overt among senior leaders seen as CM probables. Party MP from Delhi Manoj Tiwari was forced too clarify his comments on Ms Bedi after the BJP leadership made its displeasure known.

After a meeting of its Central Election Committee, the BJP released its list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The party's Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay did not figure on the list.