By MunibarBarui
On September 12, 2021 the BJP high command selected Bhupendra Patel as the new Chief Minister of Gujarat, after Vijay Rupani abruptly tendered resignation. The choice of new CM from the Patidar community seems to be quite equated as seen in current context.
This brings us to the first question: Who is Bhupendra Patel?
Bhupendra Patel is a first time MLA for Ghatlodiya Assembly of Gujarat. He is also a member of the Kadva sub-caste of the Patidar community. Formerly, he had held numerous positions such as that of president of Memnagar Municipality in Ahmedabad, and the standing committee chairman of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority. In 2017, Bhupendra Patel won the elections from Ghatlodia constituency with the highest winning margin of the Assembly polls by defeating Congress candidate Shashikant Patel. Furthermore, he is considered close to former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel, who won from the seat in 2012 polls and held it before she was appointed Governor.
Secondly, why Vijay Rupani was replaced by Bhupendra Patel?
Vijay Rupani was vigorously criticised in the recent past for his failure in managing the pandemic in the state of Gujarat. In this context, the Gujarat High Court’s strictures were harsh and regular. Furthermore, he had also, by many accounts from within, failed to emerge as a “strong and efficient leader who could lead the party into elections” in comparison to the ones who preceded him. In fact, the rise of Aam Aadmi Party as a political force in the state was attributed by many of his critics within to his “inefficient leadership.”
Thirdly, who proposed the name of Bhupendra Patel?
Bhupendra Patel’s name was proposed by former CM Vijay Rupani. Most of the 112 MLAs of the party in the 182-member Assembly were present at the meeting, BJP sources told PTI. In due course, speaking to the media, Bhupendra Patel expressed gratitude towards PM Narendra Modi, BJP national president J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah while adding that the blessings of former Gujarat CM and Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel have always been with him.
Fourthly, what did the opposition say about this change?
Paresh Dhanani, leader of opposition from Congress in the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, said in a statement to Indian Express that, “I believe that government in Gujarat will be remote-controlled like before and only the power centre has shifted. Now the remote is with Anandiben Patel after it was taken from the hands of Amit Shah”.
Nonetheless, the BJP clarified that the decision was taken unanimously in a party meeting at the BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar. This meeting was attended by the likes of Union ministers Mansukh Mandaviya, Pralhad Joshi and Narendra Singh Tomar, as well as deputy CM Nitin Patel. Additional sources from BJP state that Bhupendra Patel is going to Raj Bhavan at 6 pm on September 12, 2021 to stake claim to form government in the state of Gujarat. He is going to take the oath of office and secrecy on September 13, 2021, and the council of ministers will be announce din due course.