This belief holds ground despite assurances by observers Amit Shah and Bhupendrasinh Solanki -- both State party vice-presidents -- that the new president would be an able leader who could keep the party members united. The name is likely to be announced by next week.

The president's seat fell vacant following resignation of Bhupendra Lakhawala, who has been made Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

The names doing rounds are that of former State party general secretary Chunibhai Baraiya, director of Gujarat Housing Board (GHB) Bharat Khode, City unit vice-president Ghanshyam Dalal, former City unit youth wing president Balkrishna Shukla, Mukund Shah, a businessman, and Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA) chairman Krishna Kant Shah, most of whom are hardliners.

Highly placed sources say that with the hardliners being divided into Nalin Bhatt and Baraiya faction, the State party leadership in all probability might appoint a third person from the Sangh Parivar to avoid displeasing either of the factions.

The observers sought the views of nearly 55 party members, including the incumbent office-bearers of the BJP-ruled Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), past office-bearers, chairman of Board and Corporations and the city unit office-bearers.

According to highly placed sources, those who were called upon are believed to have told the observers that they wanted a chief who could keep the partymen united, co-ordinate between the VMC and the party and, at the same time make effective representations before the authorities concerned.

Factors like seniority, time availability and political vision would also be taken into consideration, Shah and Solanki told Express Newsline. Asked whether the party had such a kind of person in the city, they said this could not be decided unless anyone was given the responsibility.

Further asked whether a hardliner would be appointed president, they said their job was to give a report to the State president of what the partymen said. But they would give their suggestion if there was no consensus, the observers said, adding that the partymen would not have any grudge against the person selected by the State party leadership.

Selecting the president this time was particularly important, they said, considering the ensuing general elections and civic elections which would be due after one-and-a-half years.