As crisis smoulders, Vaghela plans to 'remote control' state

Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela seems to be keen on taking a leaf out of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's political book even as the political crisis, triggered by Gujarat Congressmen's clamour for his ouster, continues to smoulder.

Though Vaghela claims there is no threat to his government, sources said the chief minister is drawing up alternative plans to tackle any eventuality. If these plans materialise, Vaghela could ''remote control'' the state like Thackeray does in Maharashtra.

As part of the gameplan, Vaghela would insist that his nominee -- state Finance Minister Babubhai Maghji Shah -- would take over as chief minister. This would ensure that the designs of Revenue Minister Atmaram Patel, who almost pulled the rug from under Vaghela last fortnight, for the top job would not succeed.

The chief minister also plans to make a big splash on the national scene by holding a national convention of his party in New Delhi on October 23. He would complete one year in office on that day, provided Kesri is still kind to him.

As Vaghela himself reportedly confessed, his survival till the Diwali celebrations was not certain despite his hints to the Congress that the Bharatiya Janata Party would stand to gain if he is shown the door.

State Congress chief C D Patel has already indicated that the high command would take a decision on the Vaghela government's fate by the month-end. He did not rule out the possibility of Atmaram Patel emerging as a consensus candidate.