59 year old Bhupendra Patel, a first time MLA from Gujarat’s Ghatlodiya constituency has been picked as Gujarat’s Chief Minister after former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani submitted his resignation papers to the governor.
I believe there are primarily two reasons why Bhupendra Patel has been elevated to the top post. One is for the fact the weight he carries along with him apart from being the close confidante of Anandi Ben Patel, who was state Chief Minister after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resigned after the Bhartiya Janata Party’s thumping victory in the 2014 general elections.
There are a variety of reasons why Bhupendra Patel was picked up from the crowd.
One of them being, a Patidar has been made the CM, realising that this powerful and politically volatile community with nearly 14% population could not be ignored.https://t.co/syE3rqektD
— The Wire (@thewire_in) September 14, 2021
I am of the opinion that the decision to appoint Bhupendra Patel ahead of his rival Nitin Patel was made after much debate and deliberation considering the impact of the Patidar agitation on the prospects of the BJP in the 2017 assembly elections figuring in its tally of 99 seats of the 182 seats.
The Indian National Congress did try its best, remarkably fairing well giving the BJP a run for its money. But for Rupani’s government, misses and mishits around a Corona pandemic witnessing casualties and chaos with governance crushing and crumbling, it seemed Vijay Rupani had totally lost the plot with an admant Prime Minister Office entering the picture from behind the scenes deputing central observers – Tarun Chugh, Bhupendra Yadav declaring their preferred picks and choices.
State units bearing the burnt of over stepping and centralisation by the high command dictating their whims and fancies for a better control and capture of party cadres emotions and sentiments. Though this may not hold ground for Uttar Pradesh where Yogi Adityanath is beyond anyone’s understanding but for Uttrakhand and Karnataka where both Tirath Singh Rawat and BS Yeddyurappa were somewhat popular were shown the door.
Where was the Centre when COVID pandemic severely halted our survival and sustenance, shortage of medical supplies and resources etc? Instead Modi ji appears to be in no mood to relent passing the blame onto others who for him lack obedience, loyalty, patronage, perseverance and patience. They aren’t to be trusted as lieutenants writing is their on the wall to be interpreted and acknowledged.
Politics is a never ending exercise aimed at exploring and expanding the larger interest, objectives and goals. Maybe, Patidars would like to take their call regardless of all the development booms promising reasonable economic rationality for the state nurtured and nourished by Narendra bhai. Bothering him the most than anybody in the rank and file of BJP.