Why BJP replaced its party presidents in 2 key Gujarat districts

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has replaced its party presidents in the key Gujarat districts of Narmada and Bharuch due to a series of issues within their organisation. These problems stemmed from disagreements over appointments, ticket distribution and district unit functioning. The BJP's decision to reorganise came after months of friction and a strong showing by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in local elections.

In Narmada district, Neel Rao was replaced by Shabdasharan Tadvi as the BJP president. Tadvi is a former minister and former MLA from Narmada, bringing tribal leadership and ministerial experience to the role. Rao remains a vice-president of the Gujarat OBC Morcha, the BJP's organisation for the Other Backward Classes. The Bharuch district saw Prakash Modi replaced by Paresh Kantibhai Lad, who has been with the BJP for 22 years and has served in various leadership roles within the district.

The BJP's decision to reshuffle its organisational leadership comes amid the strong performance of the AAP in Narmada's local body elections in April 2026. The AAP won several seats and garnered significant support, particularly in Garudeshwar taluka. This result was a setback for the BJP and highlighted the party's organisational vulnerabilities in Narmada.

The conviction and imprisonment of the BJP's Dediapada MLA, Chaitar Vasava, in a case of alleged intimidation of forest officers also contributed to the need for a change in leadership.