According to sources, Vaghela has been sending feelers to BJP dissidents as well as PM Narendra Modi’s rivals within the party.
Days after he announced his exit from the Congress, former CM Shankersinh Vaghela seems to be gearing up to play a pivotal role in state politics ahead of the Assembly polls slated later this year.
According to sources, Vaghela has been sending feelers to BJP dissidents as well as PM Narendra Modi’s rivals within the party.
In the past few days, Vaghela is said to have approached RSS leader and former BJP organisation secretary Sanjay Joshi, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia. He has also reportedly approached sidelined leaders in the state BJP like former CM Anandiben Patel and former minister of state for home Gordhan Zadaphia.
“Vaghela is looking at floating a new political front and is wooing these leaders for support. However, it is not known how they have reacted to his proposal,” a source added.
Sources further said Vaghela had already approached NCP leader and former union minister Praful Patel for possible ties ahead of assembly elections. He has also reached out to community leaders Hardik Patel from PAAS, Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani, Patel community leader and trustee of Khodaldham Naresh Patel and Thakor Sena president Alpesh Thakor.
The veteran leader, however, trashed this as rumours. Talking to dna, he said, “It is obvious someone with malafide interest is doing this. I do not know who is spreading this misinformation, but I have not met any of these leaders in the past two years.”
While Joshi could not be reached, both Togadia and Zadaphia denied having any communication with Vaghela.
Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakor, too, were unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile, it is learnt the state government is gathering intelligence inputs on Vaghela’s plans for the future. The state BJP is also pursuing MLAs from Vaghela’s faction to join the party before assembly polls.
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