This year’s assembly poll, it seems, is about the battle of high and ‘mighty’.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may field Babu Bokhiriya, its former irrigation minister and one of party’s ‘dabbang’ leader from Porbandar against the Gujarat Congress chief Arjun Modhwadia in the poll slated on December 13 in the constituency.
The big mining baron, Bokhiriya is facing a slew of charges, including murder and cases related to mines and mineral theft. He has sought party’s ticket from the Porbandar constituency and the saffron party is said to have agreed to his demand to pit him against the state president of the opposition party.
However, another name doing the round in BJP circles is that of Rambhai Mokariya, a currier business operator for the same seat.
The ruling party is keen to oust Arjun Modhwadia from his bastion of Porbandar. He is all set to file his nomination paper from the same seat in pursuit of his fourth successive win from there. BJP wants to take the battle to the home of GPCC president to end his over-a-decade-old reign.
Modhwadia, as leader of opposition (LoP) and party’s state unit president, is a key figure in the Congress’ battle against Modi. He has been instrumental in cornering the chief minister on the issue of corruption and lack of development in the state.
Realising the potential damage Modhwadia can cause, BJP wants to ensure his defeat which will a big jolt to him and his party.
The ruling party realises the need to field a ‘strong’ candidate to counter Modhwadia in his stronghold. Bokhiriya has strong financial background with a dedicated team of his own men and party workers. He can pose a serious challenge to Modhwadia. However, his ‘dabbang’ image can go against him as his name has cropped up in several criminal cases. His name also emerged in attack on the RTI activist Bhagu Devani.
Apart from this, he was declared absconder by a court in the Rs54 crore minerals theft case. He was also blamed for the killing of Congress leader Mulu Modhwadia. He had put posters in Porbandar hailing Modi while he was on a visit to city as part of his Sadbhavana mission.
