Groupism in BJP comes to fore after bridge’s inauguration

SURAT: Political rivalry in the city unit of BJP came to the fore when the cable-stayed bridge was inaugurated by chief minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday. Differences always existed in the city unit of BJP, but they never came to the spotlight because the party was able to win on all 12 assembly seats in the elections held in 2017.

There are two prominent camps in the city unit of BJP and they are led by Surat (West) MLA, Purnesh Modi, and Navsari MP, CR Paatil. Huge hoardings were installed in Adajan, assembly constituency of Purnesh Modi, on Tuesday. Pictures of Modi’s confidants were there in the hoardings except for Majura assembly MLA, Harsh Sanghavi, standing committee chairman, Anil Gopalani, and ruling BJP leader in Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), Girija Shanker, who are considered close to Paatil.

A BJP leader told TOI, “Purnesh Modi is eyeing ticket for Lok Sabha elections to be held next year. Paatil can be hurdle to his ambition. There are chances that the party may give tickets to new faces from Surat and Navsari Lok Sabha seats. But this is just a conjecture. PVS Sharma and other leaders from migrant communities stand a good chance if this groupism does not end.”

However, Paatil camp followers said not everyone’s picture could be accommodated in the hoardings.

Meanwhile Harsh Sanghavi posted a small video on the cable-stayed bridge’s inauguration. In the video, Sanghavi praised SMC, state government, PM and standing committee chairman Anil Goplani.