Possible compromise: Appointing new state unit chief and filling up ministerial vacancies

However, in the nine months since then, there has been no let-up in the dissidence against Modi. Top state leaders including Keshubhai Patel, Kashiram Rana, Suresh Mehta and state unit chief Rajendrasinh Rana lead more than 60 MLAs gunning for Modi’s removal.

Their main charge — Modi’s ‘‘dictatorial style of functioning’’ and inability to ‘‘share power’’. Modi, they point out, has refused to expand the ministry with as many as 12 berths lying vacant. He has packed district boards with bureaucrats, leaving the BJP rank and file seething. His abrasive style has even alienated the state RSS and VHP, and the rift between Pravin Togadia and Modi is now an open secret, sources said.

Modi’s meeting with Vajpayee today is part of the effort to work out a ‘‘compromise’’ formula that would take into account the grievances of the dissidents without removing Modi at the helm, sources said.

As part of the compromise, a new state unit chief will be appointed and the ministerial vacancies filled. Vajpayee may be persuaded to back BJP chief L.K. Advani in retaining Modi because of ‘‘national’’ reasons, but is keen that Modi too changes his ways and becomes more ‘‘democratic and accommodative’’, sources said.

The national leadership is firmly behind Modi for two reasons. They see him as a Hindutva icon, and a ‘‘development’’ hero who has done very well as an administrator.

The denial of a US visa, followed by the cancellation of Modi’s UK visit, has made him a ‘‘nationalist martyr’’ of sorts in the eyes of the BJP national leadership, sources said. However, the US action has only strengthened the dissidents’ case that Modi has become more of a liability. That is why the ‘swabhiman’ rally was a flop and within days, dissidents have asked the central leadership to ensure Modi shapes up or is shipped out. Top dissident leaders will be meeting Advani to press their case on March 31.