Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close aide and Gujarat Assembly Speaker Vajubhai Vala has been elevated as Karnataka Governor. Known for his witty comments in Kathiawadi (Gujarati dialect) Vajubhai holds a record for presenting Gujarat Budget for 18 times in the State Assembly.
76-year-old Vala came into limelight nationally in 2002 when he vacated his Rajkot-2 Assembly seat for then Chief Minister Modi, who was contesting first ever election of his life. It was Vala, who played important role for Modi’s victory in that by-election of Rajkot-2 seat.
Vala started his political career as a Jansangh worker in late seventies and gradually went on to become Rajkot Mayor in 1985. Since then he kept on climbing in Gujarat's politics and became a Cabinet Minister in various Governments — right from Chimanbhai Patel Government in 1990 up to the Narendra Modi Government till 2012. After the BJP won 2012 Gujarat Assembly election with thumping majority, Vala was elected as the Assembly Speaker by the ruling party.
Vala’s witty comments during the discussion in the House, always kept the atmosphere light even during the tense situation, especially at a time when the Opposition party members used to become aggressive on certain issues. He also remained Gujarat BJP president twice during 1996-97 and 2004-05.