Same head,new body

In the run-up to December 2012 Assembly elections,when Modi faced challenge not only from Congress but also from his veteran colleagues like former CM Keshubhai Patel,he played it safe and repeated most of the MLAs to avoid further dissidence. “Except for a few former ministers,most of those who were repeated as party candidates have won again. It is a sign that dissidence has not worked much against the Narendra Modi government. And now he has gone for a new team as far as party structure is concerned,” said a senior party leader.

“It is 60:40 ratio,with a majority of presidents of cities and districts having been replaced. The new arrangement has been put in place in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections,” state BJP general secretary Vijay Rupani said.

The BJP has a total of 32 district and city unit presidents. Apart from having a president of each of the 26 districts in Gujarat,it also has presidents for each of the six major cities having municipal corporations.

Rupala,the dark horse?

While almost all of Narendra Modi’s closest aides have been handed rewards in the form of berths in the state Cabinet and offices in the state and national BJP,all eyes are on Rajya Sabha MP Purshottam Rupala,one of the top state BJP leaders who has neither been retained as the national BJP vice-president nor appointed state BJP chief.

Rupala is known for his grassroots network and his oratory skills,and his ability to connect to voters is considered next only to Modi in the state.

He is the only one among Modi’s closest aides who is yet to be given a key responsibility. While Anandi Patel has been given the important portfolios of revenue and urban development,former minister Amit Shah has been elevated to the post of national BJP’s general secretary despite being an accused in the Sohrabuddin Shiekh encounter case.

Faldu has been retained as the state BJP chief.

Speculation is now rife in the state BJP that Modi may have planned something bigger for Rupala.

“In Shah,Modi now has a close confidant at the national level. And for the smooth functioning of state government,he can rely on Anandi and Finance Minister Nitin Patel. The recent development (second term to Faldu as the state BJP chief) is a giveaway that Rupala might be asked to contest the next Lok Sabha polls to be with Modi at the Centre or contest Assembly by-election and handle the state in Modi’s absence,” said a senior party leader.

All eyes are now on the mega celebrations that BJP has been planned to welcome newly elected national president Rajnath Singh,who is visiting Ahmedabad on April 6,also the BJP’s foundation day.