The elections for the president and vice president of Than municipality in Surendranagar district have exposed internal factionalism within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Reports suggest that a BJP MLA played a key role in political manoeuvering, with the party leadership persuading members with promises of positions to secure the desired election outcome.
Despite having the support of only two members, Pradyumnasinh Rana was elected president, and Raju Algotar as vice president. Their election, however, took place in the absence of 12 BJP members, raising concerns over political instability. Sources claim that these members were on their way back to Than when police blocked them on Lakhatar Highway amid speculation of a potential rebellion.
Internal Conflict 
Seventeen days ago, BJP won the Than municipal elections, securing 25 out of 28 seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won three. However, high-voltage drama unfolded during the leadership elections, exposing deep rifts within the party.
Senior journalist Bharat Dave told Benefit News that this is BJP&rsquo;s seventh consecutive term in power in Than Municipality. During internal deliberations, seven contenders emerged for the president&rsquo;s post. The leadership ultimately chose Pradyumnasinh Rana, triggering discontent among 22 members.
The conflict stemmed from a previous dispute between BJP MLA Shamji Chauhan and Pradyumnasinh Rana over ticket distribution. Chauhan&rsquo;s supporters received more tickets, leading to internal divisions. Dissatisfied members reached out to BJP state President CR Patil and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel through Chauhan. With the legislative assembly in session, Chauhan called 18 members to Gandhinagar. However, local BJP leadership managed to convince six members to return, while 12 remained at a farmhouse near Gandhinagar.
On March 5, while these 12 members were returning to Than, police reportedly stopped them near Lakhatar, preventing them from reaching the election venue in time. As a result, the new office-bearers were elected in their absence.
Power Struggle 
A BJP official, speaking anonymously, revealed that Pradyumnasinh Rana will serve as president for two and a half years, after which a female candidate will take over. This arrangement caused concern among contenders who feared losing their opportunity to hold the position.
Meanwhile, MLA Shamji Chauhan aimed to install his supporter as president to maintain his political influence in the municipality. However, local BJP leadership countered his strategy by finalizing the election in the absence of the 12 missing members.
Congress Turncoat Becomes President 
Newly elected Than municipality President Pradyumnasinh Rana had contested the 2012 municipal elections as a Congress candidate but lost. In the previous term, BJP fielded his wife, who won. This year, Rana was given a ticket from Ward No. 6 and won with a narrow margin of just 20 votes. His election has now led to a direct standoff between MLA Shamji Chauhan and the local BJP leadership.
Risk to BJP&rsquo;s Majority 
The Than municipality requires a majority of 14 out of 28 members for governance. However, only 13 members were present during the president&rsquo;s election, while 12 BJP and three BSP members remained absent. For any developmental work, majority approval is necessary. If the 12 BJP rebels align with BSP&rsquo;s three members, they could challenge BJP&rsquo;s authority in the municipality.
In response, BJP is making efforts to pacify disgruntled members to prevent further political upheaval.
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Pradyumnasinh Rana (left) and Raju Algotar (right)

Internal factionalism within party surfaces during prez, vice-prez elections

Than Municipality in Political Upheaval?

Internal factionalism within party surfaces during prez, vice-prez elections

March 6, 2025 | 18:45 IST