|
Gujarat : Modi to stay as CM, but wings clipped |
 |
The BJP leadership has decided to allow its controversial Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to continue, but his wings have been clipped. Party sources say that the party high command will ask Modi to shed key portfolios and induct 12 more Ministers including some from the group which has been opposing him. The high command has also saddled him with a coordination committee comprising his chief detractor, former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, who has been spearheading the campaign for leadership change in Gujarat.
The formula was worked out at a breakfast meeting in New Delhi on March 31 between anti-Modi leaders and Central BJP leaders led by party chief L.K. Advani.
The dissidents were told that while Narendra Modi could not be eased out at the present stage because of the core constituency (Hindutva) he represented, the Chief Minister would be clearly told that he had to change his style of functioning. To start with, the BJP’s Gujarat unit will have a new president, who will not be a Modi man. Under the new party chief in the state, there will be a seven member Government; party coordination committee to oversee the functioning of the administration. Also, Modi will shed ministerial portfolios. One of the main complaints of the dissidents was that Modi had centralised power by keeping as many as 11 key portfolios including Home, Industry, Sports, Petro-chemicals and Information with himself.
Former party president Venkaiah Naidu told a news conference later that the Chief Minister has to work in cooperation with partymen. That is the guiding principle which has been re-emphasised to tackle the problems in the state unit of the party.
|
