Sources in the BJP confirmed on Sunday that these leaders did not find a berth in the newly-formed Modi Cabinet, for they were either not in the good books of the CM, or were found “incompetent” to deliver the goods during their stint in the last government.

Among the “unfortunate” seven, who were part of Modi’s last government, are former Health Minister Ashok Bhatt and Minister of State for Industries Anil Patel.

A senior BJP leader said: “Ashok Bhatt had never been in the good books of Narendrabhai since the time the latter was RSS Pracharak who was then sent to the BJP to serve the organisation. Besides, the senior Khadia MLA had thrown tantrums in the party when Narendrabhai had expressed his reservations against the induction of Bhatt in his ministry in 2002. The CM would not forget all this so easily, and hence the former health minister had to face the axe this time around.”

He said the CM was also unhappy with the way the Khadia strongman conducted himself as the Health Minister in the previous regime. Among other things, Modi was particularly peeved at Bhatt for reportedly “protecting” Commissioner of Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) Subodh Adeshra, who is facing charges of irregularities in the department. Adeshra has already put in his papers, and Joint Secretary (Health) Mona Khandar has been given an additional charge of the Commissioner, FDCA. However, the BJP leadership is learnt to have tipped Bhatt to adorn the coveted post of Assembly Speaker.

One more surprise exit was that of former Minister of State for Industries Anil Patel. His elder brother Arvind Patel, a former BJP Minister and a known Keshubhai loyalist, had openly campaigned against Anandiben Patel in Patan constituency during the recent Assembly elections. Sources say that former Education Minister Anandiben complained to Modi about this, and suggested that Anil be kept out of the new ministry.

Interestingly, another reason has been cited for leaving the former industries minister out of the ministry.

Seven BJP MLAs from North Gujarat, including five Cabinet rankers, have been inducted in the new government. Anil Patel has been elected from Mehsana, and if he had been repeated this time, it would have created a regional imbalance. Moreover, senior Patel leader and former minister in the Keshubhai Government Nitin Patel, hailing from the same district, also finds a berth in the Modi Cabinet.