Chauhan all set to make a comeback in SMC

SURAT, Sept 3: Former city president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Fakirbhai Chauhan, who had of late become a marginal political force i...

SURAT, Sept 3: Former city president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Fakirbhai Chauhan, who had of late become a marginal political force in the Surat Municipal Corporation, is all set to bounce back. He is fast emerging a rallying point, with resentment brewing in the elected wing over the appointment of standing committee chairman Natu Soma Patel as leader of the house.

Even those, who had consistently opposed Chauhan, maintain that with the party’s city leadership having gone into “wrong hands”, he is bound to emerge stronger. With the backing of 42 councillors and a number of disgruntled elements, Chauhan, say insiders, could give sleepless night to the ruling party.

The party, in a bid to cut Chauhan to size, had appointed him chairman of the Municipal Finance Board. More importantly, none of the names suggested by him for various civic committees were elected. The reason; the party co-ordination committee had decided to appoint new faces. However, insiders says the move was aimed at keeping away Chauhan’s men. Yet, BJP’s local unit wanted Patel to continue as the standing committee chairman. Even city BJP president was all out to support him, but couldn’t have his way, with pressure from councillors and standing committee members.

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Standing committee member Shankerlal Chevli, Bakula Patel who were aspirants for the coveted post, virtually revolted against the party. Even former standing committee chairman Narendra Gandhi is said to have questioned Patel’s appointment. Interestingly, Patel did not resign from the post, though Ajay Choksi’s name was announced as the new standing committee chairman.

Ultimately, the party had to reconsider its decision, which proved to be a blessing in disguise for former standing committee chairman, Ajay Choksi who was nominated for the post. Choksi was a probable candidate for the post of the leader of house, but with pressure mounting, Patel’s name was announced for the leader of house while Choksi was appointed standing committee chairman.

While majority of the councillors have welcomed Choksi’s appointment, many feel that Patel should not have given another chance. However, BJP city general secretary Kanubhai Joshi justifies the party’s decision saying, the party high command finalises the names of the mayor, the deputy mayor, the standing committee chairman and leader of the house.

Undoubtedly, the party’s attempt to put Chauhan in place has boomeranged, with another group of dissenters all set to join hands with him to “teach the party a lesson”. An insider, requesting anonymity, told Express Newsline that Chauhan’s group would decide the future course of action on September 5, when Union Textile Minister Kashiram Rana is expected to arrive in Surat. Rana is the leader of the Khajuria group, and Chauhan is considered his right hand man.

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Three standing committee members, and four special committee chairmen, owing allegiance to Chauhan may be asked to resign. Or this group may decide “non-cooperative movement” within the party and “expose” misdeeds of party leaders and office-bearers. People like Patel will be one of their possible “targets”, the insider claims.

However, BJP city general secretary says neither Chauhan’s group, nor Patel’s opponents will do anything that will damage the party, adding councillors will abide by the party’s decision.

On Patel not resigning from the post, Joshi says, “He is expected to resign today.” However, a senior councillor points out that Patel should have resigned the moment the new chairman’s name was announced.

Groupism, it seems, has become a permanent feature of the party, which, not long ago, was described as “a party with a difference.”