Vajubhai ruled out as Gujarat CM

Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala may not be the next Gujarat Chief Minister. Reports earlier had suggested that Vala will become the CM if BJP came to power. Sources scotched such reports and said that a young Other Backward Class (OBC) leader will be made the CM in the light of the emergence of leaders like Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mewani who considerably ate into the BJP vote share. The party wants to win back its OBC votes. Earlier, reports had suggested that Vala will be replaced and moved out of Karnataka to assume power in Gujarat. Evident to the decision, Vala had even directed his Secretariat officials to clear all the pending files by Dec. 16. Even Vala had reportedly expressed his wish to return to active politics in Gujarat. Representing Rajkot West Assembly constituency for record seven times, Vala hails from one of the backward communities. Though he was the Gujarat BJP President, Assembly Speaker and Cabinet Minister holding crucial portfolios, now age is not on his side as he is already 78. The party will follow the Maharashtra model where a young Devendra Fadnavis was chosen as the CM over senior leaders.