Vala likely to be new BJP state president

Rupala,while not ruling out Vala’s name,said the final decision rests with the party leadership. He said the change will take place only after the state party executive committee meeting,which will be held after the upcoming State Legislative Assembly session.

Rupala said,at present,the party will focus on the Junagadh civic polls. Both BJP and the Congress had faced difficulty during the Lok Sabha elections at Junagadh.

“We have not lost the (Lok Sabha) election in Gujarat,but our agenda will follow what is decided in Delhi about the analysis of the results”,said Rupala.

He said the post-poll political situation in the state would be discussed in an internal party forum and seat-wise analysis will be done ahead of the executive committee meeting.

Sources said a shakeout in the party could be expected. Disciplinary action has already been taken against rebel members of nagarpalika in Navsari. While blame-game was witnessed in the party’s national executive meeting,the repeat is not likely in the state executive.

Reacting to the party’s spectacular win in the Godhra Municipality by-polls,BJP spokesperson I K Jadeja said: “The only seat that has not been won by the BJP has also not been won by the Congress but by an Independent.” He added: “Of the 15 nagarpalika seats in the state where by-elections were held,the BJP won on 11,while only one seat has gone to the Congress.”