The Hindu Business Line : Dissident camp spoils Modi's cabinet expansion party

Mr Gordhan Zahadaphia, the MLA from Rakhial in Ahmedabad and known Keshubhai Patel loyalist, refused to take oath in Mr Modi's Cabinet. As his name was called out, Mr Zahadaphia, who was present at the oath taking ceremony here on Monday, simply stood up, folded his hands and sat down in his chair.

"I do not think I can work in this dispensation. Party workers are still denied entry to the Sachivalaya (Secretariat). Their (party workers') voice is not heard. I have decided that I will not join the Cabinet but continue working in the field," Mr Zahadaphia told reporters after the ceremony.

Nine of the 11 new members inducted by Mr Modi today are said to be from the dissident camp. Political observers here say that Mr Zahadaphia's action was clearly an attempt to embarrass Mr Modi.

Mr Zahadaphia had earlier alleged that his telephones were being tapped at the behest of the Chief Minister and that the State intelligence agencies were "after my life".

The State BJP Chief and former Finance Minister, Mr Vajubhai Vala, admitted that the incident had "hurt the party's image".

"We were not informed that he was not going to take oath. It was his decision," Mr Vala said.

Later in the evening, the State BJP issued a show-cause notice to Mr Zahadaphia.

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