Kiran Bedi
BJP chief Amit Shah and social activist Kiran Bedi during a programme organised to welcome Bedi into the party on 15 January, 2015.IANS

After much speculation and drama, BJP president Amit Shah announced on Monday night that Kiran Bedi would be their chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi Elections.

The announcement was made after a meeting of the central election committee, where PM Narendra Modi was also present, reports NDTV.

The latest development makes the battle between Bedi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal official.

The former IPS officer will contest from the Krishna Nagar seat in east Delhi. It was earlier held by Harsh Vardhan, the chief ministerial candidate in the December 2013 elections and now a union minister.

Shah was confident that the decision would result in the party getting full majority.

"The BJP parliamentary board has decided that the party will fight the forthcoming polls under leadership of Kiran Bedi. Kiranji will also be the chief ministerial candidate," Shah said at a late night press conference.

"I feel the name that the BJP has decided will meet the peoples' expectations and our decision will definitely lead to victory," he added.

(With inputs from IANS)