After the former CM’s state-level funeral on June 16, 2025, traders who helped organise the procession revealed they were asked to collect the expenses from the Rupani family, not the BJP triggering public outrage and exposing deep internal fissures.

During the dispute, city president repeatedly refused to comment, saying only that the “matter will be taken to the high command”.

The silence was read as factional defensiveness, with the Rupani camp accusing the Boghra faction of sidelining them. Even during Amit Shah’s recent Rajkot visit, old Rupani loyalists including Nitin Bhardwaj and Dhansukh Bhanderi were seen by his side, fuelling talk that Delhi still values the old guard.

Political observers now believe B L Santosh’s visit could mark the beginning of a strategic revival of this faction.

Once, the Rupani group controlled key levers from the municipal corporation to organisational committees, but internal rifts had pushed them into a passive role.

If they re-enter the field, insiders believe the BJP could consolidate its base ahead of local elections, especially with the “Old Guard” returning to action.

However, Anjaliben Rupani dismissed all speculation with calm precision. “There was no political discussion,” she told the media. “He just came for a condolence visit.

It has been six months since Rupani Saheb passed away.” She added And when asked whether she herself might become politically active, she answered sharply: “We are party workers. We will do as the party says.”

Echoing her words, Rajkot BJP spokesperson Raju Dhruv clarified that “the visit was purely emotional”, adding: “Vijaybhai was a former Chief Minister and a committed BJP worker. The party still feels his absence deeply. Santosh ji went only to console the family.”