In run-up to a general election next year, Gujarat BJP announced its new 181- member State executive on Monday. The three-tier State executive declared two days after the brainstorming sessions with presidents, secretaries and important Gujarat leaders of all the district units at the Gujarat Chief Minister’s residence.
The State executive has 79 direct members, 55 invited members and 47 are categorised as specially invited members. The new executive will work for the next three years. Keeping the lok Sabha election in mind, the State BJP leadership tried to strike a balance in the new team and gave representation to 23 district in-charges out of 27 districts in the State.
“We have tried to give representation to all sections of the society. The new body contains doctors, advocates, retired IPS and IAS officers, teachers, youth, senior BJP workers, members from tribal and rural belts. This time strength of women is as high as 35,” said Gujarat BJP spokesperson IK Jadeja.
Strategically, important leaders who recently joined BJP from other parties have also found places in the State party executive. Former deputy Chief Minister in Chimanbhai Patel-led Government (Janata Dal-Congress) Narhari Amin, who left the Congress and joined the BJP during the last Gujarat Assembly election, strong Saurashtra Patel leader Vithal Radadia, former Gujarat chief of Bahujan Samaj Party Nalin Bhatt and others are part of the executive.
As many as 28 State BJP office bearers, 30 conveners of various cells, seven presidents of various Morchas and presidents and secretaries of all the districts are now eligible to participate in the State executive meetings.