Vala, who gave up Rajkot for Modi, has tough job ahead

The BJP on Friday appointed Vajubhai Vala as its Gujarat unit president. Vala is best known for having vacated the Rajkot seat for CM Narendra Modi’s election. But during the last few months, when the Keshubhai Patel camp intensified demands for Modi’s removal, Vala just remained equidistant from both the camps. And this careful positioning may have influenced the high command’s decision.

Patel, who is in Delhi, is learnt to have opposed Vala’s appointment. And there are no signs of a truce. Dilip Patel, a dissident MLA and former minister, said: ‘‘Our anti-CM campaign will continue. A group of MLAs opposed to the CM’s style of functioning will meet in Gandhinagar on Tuesday to rework the strategy to carry on with the campaign.’’

Vala replaces Rajendrasinh Rana, who has been holding fort even after his term expired more than two years ago. Over that period, the two camps have fought bitterly.

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Given the bitterness between the two camps, some in the party fear that Vala’s appointment may worsen things by upsetting caste equations. For, now both the CM and the party chief belong to the Other Backward Castes.

‘‘I concede that a section of our party MLAs and workers are not happy with the CM’s style of functioning. But there is no groupism on ideological lines. I’ll make sincere efforts to get MLAs’ and workers’ grievances addressed,’’ Vala said. He added he would resign as finance minister as he can’t hold two posts at the same time.