Intense Competition for BJP’s City-District President Positions as Final List Nears
Leadership Shake-Up in Gujarat BJP: New Presidents Expected for City and District Levels
The process of reshuffling the Gujarat BJP organization is currently underway. After the ward presidents were announced, the names of city and district presidents are expected to be revealed soon. Political sources suggest that the list of city and district presidents for Gujarat BJP has already been prepared. Home Minister Amit Shah, who is currently in Gujarat, is expected to depart for Delhi on the evening of January 16, increasing the likelihood of the list being made public before his departure.
Sources indicate that the list has been handed over to state president C.R. Patil, meaning the names of the new district and city presidents could be announced at any time. A large number of leaders have expressed interest in these positions, with over 1,300 individuals competing for 41 spots—33 district presidents and 8 city presidents.
With the booth and mandal-level elections now concluded, all eyes are on the selection of city and district presidents. The competition for these positions has been fierce, making the selection process challenging for the party. There is also speculation that in some districts, candidates who were not originally in the running may enter the race through a ‘parachute’ appointment.
In the coming months, elections will be held for 72 municipalities, 92 taluka panchayats, the Junagadh Municipal Corporation, and the Kheda District Panchayat. Amid these upcoming elections, the party leadership is also alert to internal factionalism within the party.
City-District Presidents Awaited: Final Announcement Likely Soon
The booth and mandal-level elections have already concluded, and now the organization structure for city and district levels is being finalized. On January 4, BJP sent observers to various districts, where aspiring candidates filled out their nomination forms. The process has already been ongoing for over a week, and sources suggest that the names of the new district and city presidents will be announced within the next two or three days.
State President Appointment to Follow After City-District Leadership
After the announcement of city and district presidents, attention will turn to the appointment of the state president. The final structure of the state leadership will be decided after the city and district leaders are selected. Therefore, the delay in the announcement of the city-district presidents could also push back the announcement of the state president.
Disciplinary Issues in Vadodara BJP, Yadav Faction Continues to Cause Tensions
In Vadodara, the BJP has been dealing with internal conflicts, particularly within the Yadav faction. On January 4, a dispute between the city’s vice-president and a former corporator escalated, leading to accusations and counter-accusations. Former corporator Gopi Talati was accused of making derogatory remarks about women by Sunita Shukla, while Talati defended himself, claiming that false accusations were being made to weaken his candidacy.
Surat District President Nomination Controversy
In Surat district, 17 candidates had filed their nominations for the district president position, but the process faced opposition from within the party. Rajesh Katariya, the head of the SC Morcha in Surat, expressed frustration after his nomination form was rejected without any clear reason. He accused the party of unfairly dismissing his candidacy.
Controversies Over Falsified Documents for Nomination
During the nomination process for ward and taluka presidents, instances of age manipulation emerged. A decision was made to exclude candidates above the age of 40 from certain positions, prompting some BJP leaders to submit falsified birth certificates to reduce their age. This practice was uncovered in Rajkot and Ahmedabad, where candidates submitted altered documents to meet the age requirement for these leadership roles.
Ahmedabad: Key Contenders for City President
Among the potential candidates for the Ahmedabad city president position, Dr. Rytvij Patel, former youth president and spokesperson of the state BJP, is gaining significant attention. Patel, who has a strong influence among youth workers and in the organization, is seen as a strong contender for the role. Bhaskar Bhatt, a former corporator and leader of the ruling party in the municipal corporation, is also a prominent candidate. Additionally, Hitesh Barot, the former chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and a corporator from Thaltej, has also thrown his hat into the ring.
As Gujarat BJP gears up for leadership announcements, the competition remains intense, with many expecting more surprises in the final selections.
