- Party leaders hail OBC leader’s elevation; new chief vows inclusive development as Congress, AAP call it “old wine in new bottle”
- Our effort for a developed Gujarat and a strong BJP must be cohesive, with the cooperation of all workers, to serve the people as Team Gujarat BJP: Jagdish Vishwakarma
NE NEWS SERVICE
GANDHINAGAR, OCT 4
In a significant organisational move, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday announced Gujarat Minister and senior OBC leader Jagdish Vishwakarma as the new president of its state unit. He succeeds Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil, under whose tenure the party scripted historic wins in the 2022 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, who acted as the election officer, formally declared Vishwakarma’s name at the BJP headquarters ‘Kamalam’ in Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, senior ministers and party veterans.
Vishwakarma, 52, a three-time MLA from Ahmedabad’s Nikol seat, currently serves as the Minister of State for Cooperation, Salt Industries, MSME, Cottage, Khadi and Rural Industries. He has previously helmed the party’s Ahmedabad city unit and is regarded as an experienced grassroots organiser.
Vishwakarma’s Vision
Expressing gratitude to the party’s top leadership, Vishwakarma said: “The BJP, the world’s largest party, is synonymous with development, trust, new ideas, national victory, and a self-reliant India. Our effort for a developed Gujarat and a strong BJP must be cohesive, with the cooperation of all workers, to serve the people as Team Gujarat BJP.”
He added that the party’s vision, shaped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is rooted in cultural nationalism and dedicated service. “The trust that the people of Gujarat have placed in the BJP over the past 25 years has increased our responsibility, and every worker must live up to this expectation,” he said.
BJP Leaders Welcome Change
Outgoing president C.R. Paatil said: “In the 2022 assembly polls, we secured 156 seats with a lead of over one crore votes. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the party won 25 out of 26 seats. Though we could not win all 182 assembly seats, the groundwork is laid, and under the new leadership, I am confident the BJP will achieve this target.”
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi added:
“As a dedicated worker who has risen through the organisation, Jagdish Vishwakarma will strengthen the connect between the party and every section of society. There is tremendous enthusiasm among workers across Gujarat.”
Opposition’s Response
The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) downplayed Vishwakarma’s appointment, calling it a cosmetic change.
Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said: “The BJP is facing growing discontent over unemployment, price rise, and farmers’ distress. Simply changing the state president will not change the ground realities. People want solutions, not slogans.”
AAP Gujarat convener Isudan Gadhvi remarked: “This is old wine in a new bottle. Whether it is Paatil or Vishwakarma, the BJP is still run by a centralised high command. The people of Gujarat are tired of tall promises and want a real alternative in governance.”
Why Vishwakarma’s Elevation Matters
Vishwakarma’s appointment is being seen as a strategic step by the BJP to:
- Consolidate its outreach among OBC communities, a crucial electoral base in Gujarat.
- Harness his strong background in industries, khadi, rural development, and MSMEs to deepen the party’s connect with grassroots voters and entrepreneurs.
- Inject organisational energy and renew the party’s local-level networks ahead of crucial elections.
Impact on Upcoming Polls
With local body elections approaching, Vishwakarma’s organisational skills are expected to strengthen BJP’s campaign in municipalities, talukas, and panchayats—structures that form the foundation of its electoral dominance. His OBC identity further broadens the party’s social appeal, especially in semi-urban and rural belts.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Assembly polls, party strategists believe his elevation will:
- Help BJP push closer to its target of winning all 182 Assembly seats.
- Reinforce the party’s image as socially inclusive by empowering backward class leadership.
- Complement the developmental agenda of the Bhupendra Patel government with sharper ground-level execution.
However, the opposition sees an opening: both Congress and AAP are expected to sharpen their campaigns on issues of governance, unemployment, and rising costs, betting that leadership changes alone cannot offset voter dissatisfaction.
