BJP may again witness political upheavals; BJP rebels to launch new regional party, Congress ups the ante.
September is back, and so are troubles for the BJP in Gujarat. Starting 1995, the state’s political scenario —and the saffron party—have witnessed political upheavals in the month of September almost every second year.
Almost all BJP chief ministers ranging from Keshubhai Patel to Narendra Modi have faced political opposition both, from within as well as outside during this time of the year.
“We call it the September Syndrome in a lighter vein. Keshubhai Patel, Shankersinh Vaghela, Dilip Parikh and even Narendra Modi have faced strong political opposition around September,” says a senior BJP office-bearer.
So if Keshubhai Patel government had to go following the Khajuraho rebellion which started in September 1995 —Patel’s last stint as chief minister too ended following a ‘September unrest’ in 2001—his successor Suresh Mehta lost his chair in September 1996, following which the state went under President’s rule for a period of nearly two months.
BJP rebel and the present union textiles minister Shankersinh Vaghela’s stint as chief minister — Vaghela had toppled BJP’s Suresh Mehta by floating his own political outfit Rashtriya Janata Party (RJP)—too ended in October 1997, following a political unrest which started, again in September that year.
This September, BJP’s rebels including former home minister Gordhan Zadaphia, Sunil Oza and Siddharth Parmar will float a new regional political outfit.
What’s more, riding high on the N-Deal, the state Congress too has declared a host of programmes against the state government during the month after a long lull.
“The party will harp on Gujarat’s pride. We will be the first truly regional party in the state,” said Sunil Oza, a former BJP MLA from Bhavnagar.
The new party will be launched on September 25 to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay.
Sep-Oct 1995: Keshubhai ousted by Shankersinh Vaghela’s rebellion
Sep 1996: Suresh Mehta forced to step down as CM, President’s rule imposed
Sep-Oct 1997: Vaghela forced to step down as CM
Sep-Oct 2001: Keshubhai forced to step down, Modi takes charge
Sep-Oct 2004: Rebellion in BJP against Narendra Modi
Sep-Oct 2005: Second rebellion against Modi
