The Hindu : National : Modi detractors find no place in BJP State executive

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Wednesday, Dec 13, 2006
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National

Modi detractors find no place in BJP State executive

Manas Dasgupta

Narendra Modi

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has maintained his upper hand in the reconstitution of the BJP State executive. Not a single leader from the dissident camp, led by the former Chief Minister, Keshubhai Patel, has been accommodated in the 18-member body announced by new State unit president Purshottam Rupala, a Modi-supporter.

Except for six new faces — four secretaries and two vice-presidents — Mr. Rupala has retained his predecessor Vajubhai Vala's team. General secretaries Jayanti Barot and Vijay Rupani, both Rajya Sabha MPs, also belong to the Modi camp. Surendra Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP, has retained his post as treasurer for the seventh consecutive time.

The dissidents wanted the central leadership to consider Mr. Patel's claim for the top post to "maintain the balance of power" between the two groups. But the high command declined to Mr. Patel's side and advised him to contest the presidential election. But he rejected it, fearing a humiliating defeat in the hands of Mr. Modi's supporters.

With elections to the Assembly just about a year away, packing the State executive with his supporters will put Mr. Modi in an advantageous position in the selection of candidates. He is certain to deny ticket to all his critics in the next Assembly elections unless the high command insisted on the old formula of re-nominating all the sitting members. At least, 30 party MLAs in the 129-member legislature party have openly come out against him and he is in no mood to accommodate any of them in the next House.

The Chief Minister has decided to take back Mr. Vala in his Cabinet from where he was made to resign last year to take over as interim party president. He is expected to be sworn in on Wednesday.

While the counting of votes for the elections to over 7,000-odd village panchayats is expected to be completed only by Wednesday, early results indicate that the pro-BJP candidates have cornered about 60 per cent of the seats. The Congress, however, has claimed a sweep in the north Gujarat district of Mehsana. None of the parties contested the elections on party symbol.

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