BJP’s tainted trio toppled as ministers after scandals, controversies rocked govt ship

The BJP government’s image took a severe beating following a series of scandals that forced the resignation of three ministers — Bachu Khabad, Mukesh Patel, and Bhikhu Parmar. Their controversial actions and alleged involvement in corruption severely dented the administration’s credibility.

In Dahod, former minister Bachu Khabad’s sons were accused of siphoning off crores of rupees by showing material supply only on paper instead of paying poor tribal labourers for actual work. The scam had reportedly been running for nearly a decade. 

When the matter finally came to light and the Opposition created an uproar, the government’s reputation took a major hit. The situation worsened to the extent that Khabad was reportedly instructed to stay away from the Secretariat and even official programmes.

Similarly, the bogus arms licence scandal dragged the government into further controversy after it emerged that Vishal Patel, son of former forest and environment minister Mukesh Patel, had procured a revolver licence in Nagaland using forged documents. 

The minister also faced allegations of irregularities in converting land earmarked for a power substation into non-agricultural use. With mounting pressure and embarrassment, Patel was asked to step down from his post.

The high-profile BZ Ponzi scam too reached Gandhinagar’s power corridors, after revelations of close ties between the main accused Bhupendra Zala and former minister Bhikhu Parmar’s son Karan Parmar. 

Zala, accused of swindling crores, was also alleged to have contributed substantial funds to the BJP. The scandal’s ripple effects ultimately consumed Parmar’s ministership as well.

BJP elevates Swaroopji Thakor, sidelines Alpesh Thakor

In Gandhinagar, Alpesh Thakor recently held a grand gathering of the Thakor Sena to display his political strength. He even warned that if the Thakor community did not receive adequate representation, it could lead to political unrest. However, this show of strength reportedly displeased the BJP’s top brass.

During the cabinet expansion, the party overlooked Alpesh Thakor and instead chose the mild-mannered Vav-Tharad MLA Swaroop Thakor for a ministerial berth. Political observers believe the BJP used this move to check Alpesh’s growing assertiveness and simultaneously nurture new leadership within the Thakor community by boosting Swaroop’s stature.