Rebel spoils swearing in of Gujarat ministers

Differences in the Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to the fore during the ministry expansion of the Narendra Modi government, when Gordhan Zadafia, close aide of former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel refused to take oath even as 11 others were sworn in as ministers of state.

Drama unfolded at the makeshift venue of the swearing-in ceremony when Zadafia refused to take oath telling reporters that he was not keen to get into the ministry.

Irked by Zadafia's stance, the state BJP chief party Vaju Vala later issued him a notice. According to state BJP spokesman, Zadafia has been asked to submit his explanation in four days.

"I feel that my workers cannot get justice in the present conditions (in Gujarat), I am not keen to be part of the ministry. I am and will remain a soldier of the BJP and will work for the party," he said denying that he was rebelling against the chief minister openly.

Zadafia said he had "considered this decision all night and had made up his mind, without anyone's influence".

Purshottam Solanki, a powerful leader of the Koli community, who called Modi a Hitler, at a function in May last year but later apologised, was among those inducted into the ministry.

The expansion, the first since Modi assumed office in December 2002, was held at a time when Keshubhai Patel is in the US on a personal visit.