Before the campaigns could start for Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat, the internal rift among BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leaders took a wild turn. The party that cherished a landslide victory on all 26 seats in Gujarat in the previous elections has now been embroiled in a turmoil of backlashes by its party members.

While home minister Harsh Sanghavi rushed to Sabarkantha, former Gondal MLA Jayrajsinh Jadeja was fielded in Rajkot for damage control on Parshottam Rupala’s controversy.

Meanwhile, leaders in Vadodara express dissatisfaction over their party’s decision to nominate an ‘outsider’ for the city’s seat, highlighting the resentment of party leaders with high command.

Vadodara’s turmoil

Amid the opposition in Vadodara, Pritesh Shah, BJP Yuva Morcha’s office-bearer, expressed his resentment.

During a live streaming session on social media by the BJP's state president, CR Patil, Shah expressed his anger by commenting, “Disrespect to Vadodara’s women power, (party has) given a ticket to someone who was rejected. What did she do for the party? The workers sacrificed their entire lives, and someone else is rewarded.”

The BJP senior leaders and members in Vadodara are opposing the candidature of newly appointed Dr Hemang Joshi, replacing Ranjan Bhatt, who also faced backlash on her candidature.

Vadodara leaders express concern over Dr Joshi’s candidature, who came to the city for education but lacks local roots in the city.

BJP leaders lamented the high command’s disregard for senior members and loyal workers, urging them to put aside their arrogance and highlighting the dedication of RSS and BJP loyalists who worked for the party for years.

Notably, Dr Joshi was instructed not to formulate any election campaign strategy until Apr 3 and await the arrival of Gujarat BJP vice president Gordhan Zadafia on Mar 31.

Sabarkantha situation

Shobhna Baraiya’s candidature has irked local leaders in Sabarkantha. State home minister Harsh Sanghavi held a three-four-hour-long meeting with local leaders of the BJP in Sabarkantha, where Baraiya was reportedly absent.

Leaders, including Bhikhaji Thakor and Modasa MLA Bhikhusinh Parmar, were present at the meeting.

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