Gujarat BJP to get new chief tomorrow; Rupani likely choice

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat BJP will elect its new state president tomorrow and Transport Minister Vijay Rupani is likely to get the post.

Rupani's elder brother, Pravin, said in Rajkot his brother's name has been finalised. Sources in the party also confirmed Rupani would most likely get the job.

Rupani, who if elected will also lead the party in the next year's Assembly polls, today visited former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel and sought his blessings.

After meeting Patel at his residence in Gandhinagar, Rupani said, "I came to seek blessings of Patel since we both come from the same city (Rajkot). He is a veteran politician and played a very important role in shaping up my career."

He, however, did not reply to queries related to his likely appointment to the party post.

The new state president will head the party at a time when it's passing through a tough phase in the wake of Patel agitation and drubbing in local body polls late last year.

The delay in appointing a new head in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi fuelled speculation about differences in the leadership over the final choice.

Earlier, the state unit had announced the new Gujarat BJP president will be appointed after `Makarsankranti' (January 15), but that did not happen. The term of current Gujarat BJP head R C Faldu ended long back.

BJP president Amit Shah, who also hails from Gujarat, was here for three days (Jan 13-15) and met several leaders.

Gujarat BJP on last Tuesday announced the party will get its new chief on February 19. A schedule released by the party said candidates can file their nomination between 11 AM and 12 noon and the winner would be announced shortly after.

Voting will be held if multiple candidates are in the fray. BJP MP from Rajasthan Arjun Meghwal has been appointed the election observer.

The new leader's name will be announced in the presence of several dignitaries, including Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, Gujarat BJP in-charge Dinesh Sharma and Faldu, among others, a party release said.