Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi addresses the media after national BJP President Amit Shah welcomed her into the party during a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. (Source: PTI Photo ) Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi addresses the media after national BJP President Amit Shah welcomed her into the party during a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. (Source: PTI Photo )

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi was back in the headlines when she formally joined the BJP ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.

Though she has not been officially declared BJP’s CM candidate, reports suggest India’s first woman IPS officer will be the saffron party’s trump card to counter former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi where his Aam Aadmi Party made a remarkable debut in the last elections.

“Welcome Smt.@thekiranbedi into Bharatiya Janata Party. I am certain that under her inspirational leadership, BJP will win & Delhi will grow,” tweeted BJP’s Vijay Goel.

Welcome Smt.@thekiranbedi into Bharatiya Janata Party. I am certain that under her inspirational leadership, BJP will win & Delhi will grow. — Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) January 15, 2015

One of the advantages for BJP to project her as CM candidate will be Bedi’s connection with the women whose safety in the capital was a major issue in the last polls.

Forty cases of crimes against women are registered every day in the national capital with offences of rape, molestation and sexual harassment in public topping the list. In the past, Bedi has been vocal about police reforms and have suggested many innovative ways to deal with such issues.

Women in Delhi find her experience as an IPS officer and her administrative qualities best suited for the choice as chief minister. “What works for Kiran Bedi is her ‘crusader’ image, and the fact that she has four decades of experience as an administrator – in the Delhi Police and especially in Tihar Jail. Women are likely to feel that she will work towards their safety,” said Neelanjana Banerjee, Content Head at IndiaPostLive.com and a resident of Mayur Vihar.

“However, the question is – can she be trusted, given her flip-flops and U-turns on Modi? BJP now need not worry about a direct Modi vs. Kejriwal battle, as she could become the face of the BJP in Delhi. Delhi politics just became more interesting,” added Banerjee.

Read Also: Kiran Bedi: Women safety central issue, not full statehood for Delhi

“Crime against women can be reduced by effective patrolling, a responsive police. Kiran Bedi being a top cop and woman herself is the best person to tackle the menace,” feels Shefali Vaidya, administrator of The Frustrated Indian, a social media page with over half million likes, who stays in Dwarka.

“Looking at her administrative qualities, strategic approach and result oriented mindset she is one of the preferred choice to be the CM. Besides this as a woman there are a lot of expectations attached to her in terms of bringing out a robust regime for women safety in the city,” said Anubhuti Kaul, who works for a leading software company and resides in Preet Vihar.

“Being a retired IPS officer with an impeccable record, she knows the loopholes of system and I hope if she gets the power she will try to mend the problematic areas of Delhi, women safety being the top priority,” said Rohini based Vasudha Maini.

“Since our childhood we have heard stories of Kiran Bedi who became the first woman officer in the IPS and how she fined former prime minister Indira Gandhi for wrongfully parking her car. She is a no nonsense cop and I feel she is the preferred CM choice,” said Nishu Dhwaj, an IT professional in south Delhi.

AAP sources also admitted that they were worried at Bedi being projected by the BJP as this would galvanise the BJP cadre. “If they project her as the chief ministerial candidate, then she has the stature to galvanise the BJP cadre. The fact that the AAP has Kejriwal as CM candidate, while the BJP has none had hurt the saffron party’s chances,” a senior leader said.

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