Internal rift in Gujarat BJP comes out wide open

SIMMERING tension within the Gujarat BJP finally came to a head during the recent cooperative sector elections for the director of IFFCO when a close aide of Union Home Minister Amit Shah faced defeat.

- DILIP SINGH KSHATRIYA

Former minister Jayesh Radadiya — a Jetpur BJP MLA — defeated Bipin Patel, alias Bipin Gota, the coordinator of the party’s cooperative cell and vice-chairman of Gujarat State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited (Gujcomasol)in the election.

Narayan Kachdia -- a threetime MP from Amerli -- raised concerns regarding the party’s candidate selection process and the incorporation of Congress and AAP members into the BJP. Despite the state BJP chief CR Paatil endorsing Gota — a close aide of Amit Shah — as the party’s candidate, Radadia defied the party mandate by submitting his candidacy and securing a third term.

Amit Shah’s visit to his residence did not deter Radadia from withdrawing his nomination against Gota.