Ravi Shankar Prasad, OP Dhankar named by BJP as central observers to pick next Delhi CM

New Delhi: The BJP appointed former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and its national secretary Om Prakash Dhankar as central observers for the election of its Delhi legislature party leader, who will become the capital's next chief minister, on Wednesday.

The legislative party will gather later this evening to nominate a leader amidst speculation about the BJP's top brass.

The party said in a statement that its Parliamentary Board appointed Prasad and Dhankar as the central observers, PTI reported.

Several members of the Board met at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence earlier in the day to deliberate on the issue.

With the BJP coming to power in Delhi after nearly 27 years, the party's rank of MLAs is full of first-timers amid some experienced faces, throwing up a wide range of probables for the top seat.

The leader after being chosen by the party MLAs will meet Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at the Raj Niwas to stake claim to form the new government.

Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for a grand swearing-in ceremony of the new government at Ramleela Ground on Thursday afternoon.

Around 50,000 people, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues and the chief minister of NDA-ruled states among other guests, will attend the ceremony.

The BJP won 48 seats in the election to the 70-member assembly.