New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS): The Congress Friday demanded an apology from Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan for his remark that the capital is in "ICU".

"It is not Delhi which is in ICU, but BJP which will be put on the ventilator after its defeat in the assembly polls. In fact the party has been in ICU for the past 15 years," said Congress leader Mukesh Sharma.

BJP was voted out of power in 1998 and has failed to make a comeback.

Vardhan Monday attacked the Congress for its "misrule" because of which he said Delhi has slipped into ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and needed a healing touch.

"It (remark) is an insult to the people of Delhi. We demand that Harsh Vardhan apologise. It is defaming," Sharma, also a parliamentary secretary to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, said.

Sharma asked Vardhan how he could malign Delhi when it has the highest per capita income.

He also questioned Vardhan's ability to lead the BJP in the Dec 4 polls, asking why he was not chosen for the top job between 1993 and 1998.

"From 1993 to 1998, BJP, during its tenure, changed three chief ministers but Harsh Vardhan was never preferred for the job," Sharma added.

He said Vardhan has no right to defame Delhi when he as health minister in the BJP regime could not construct even a single hospital.