Sudden political appointments raise hope for around 15,000 aspiring BJP men.
Chief minister Narendra Modi appointed four retired bureaucrats who are said to be close to him in key public bodies and four important Urban Development Authorities of the state. Former chief secretary D Rajagopalan who retired on December 31, has been appointed chairman of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL). It was believed by bureaucrats that Rajagopalan would be appointed advisor to the CM as SK Shelat has resigned from the post and babus were surprised by this move.
Dharmendra Shah, Ahmedabad municipal corporator from Kankaria ward who is Modi's old and trustworthy man, has been made chairman of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) freeing Guri Kumar, principal secretary, urban development department, from the charge.
Shah was Leader of the opposition (LOP) in AMC during 1995-97, chairman standing committee during 1998-2000, Ahmedabad city BJP president in 2000-01 and LOP in AMC 2001-03. Shah contested the assembly election from Jamalpur ward in 2002 but lost.
NV Patel, SSNNL chairman and former Vadodara mayor, has been appointed as chairman of Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA). He was made SSNNL chairman a few months back. Ashok Bhavsar, Gandhinagar BJP president and another close confidant of the CM, landed the chairman of Gandhinagar Urban Development Authority (GUDA) job.
Amoh Shah, Bhavnagar city BJP president gets the chairmanship of Bhavnagar Urban Development Authority (BHUDA). Shah is an old RSS man who has lost corporation election in his maiden attempt. Shah is also very close to Modi. It is believed that Rina Shah, ex-city mayor, was removed recently due to conflict with Amoh Shah.
Similarly, two former service officers Kanubhai Mistry and Ishwarbhai Bhavsar, both ex GPSC (Gujarat Public Service Commission) have been appointed as chairman of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Gujarat Energy Development Authority (GEDA), respectively.
The sudden appointments made by the CM have generated surprise and excitement in political and bureaucratic circles. Modi made some political appointments in March 2009 during Lok Sabha elections. He also appointed a few BJP men in small boards like Gopalak Vikas board etc., few months back, but after a long break big political appointments have been made.
DNA had indicated recently about this possible move by Modi to please partymen. A senior BJP leader said: "Since 2002 he had not filled up various posts in board, corporations and various districts and taluka level bodies."
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