Four Gujarat MLAs become minister, take oath at Raj Bhavan

Visavdar MLA Kanubhai Bhalala, Jamnagar MLA Vasuben Trivedi, Himmatnagar MLA Praful Patel, and Ahmedabad’s Asarwa MLA
Pradipsinh Jadeja took oath as new minister of state in Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s Gujarat cabinet at Gandhinagar Raj Bhavan today afternoon.

At 12.00 noon, first senior most among four MLAs, Shri Kanubhai Bahalala, followed by Vasuben, Pradipsinh and lastly the junior most Praful Patel took oath. All four newly inducted ministers were on stage along with the Chief Minister and the Governor. All of them were wearing saffron scarfs. After the oath taking ceremony ended, the Governor and the Chief Minister offered them bouquets. The ceremony concluded with national anthem. Dozens of supporters of Himmat Nagar MLA Praful Patel shouted slogans ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jay’ when he stood up to take oath. Others were encouraged with clapping.

The most surprising face among four new ministers, Shri Praful Patel is first time MLA from north Gujarat’s Himmat Nagar. He was made district BJP President in January this year. Patel is known as a hard worker and popular MLA whose grant utilizing capacity is believed as unmatched to any other MLA of the district. As many as Rs 30 crore works are approved in his constituency in a year time. He played major role in securing Sabarkantha Lok Sabha seat for BJP. He also came into lime light when his son Siddharth Patel hit Gujarat High Court Judge Ravi Tripathi’s car on Ahmedabad’s S.G.Highway last year. Patel is one of the favorite MLAs of Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Senior most among four new ministers, Shri Kanubhai Bhalala is two time MLA, elected from Visavdar which was once former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel’s constituency. Bhalala secured victory on this seat, even when Keshubhai was silently opposing it. Strong Modi loyalist Bhalala and his supporters felt let down when instead of senior Bhalala, another one time MLA from Junagadh district, Shri L.T. Rajani was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary by Modi. Bhalala has been finally rewarded for his loyalty. Bhalala is important also for the fact that he is from Patel community. His elevation automatically cut down the political weight of MLA Mahendra Mashru, who could not ensured re-election of the party in Junagadh Municipal Corporation elections. Mashru is more senior than Bhalala and Rajani both.

Vasuben Trivedi is Professor in Jamnagar. She is senior BJP MLA who was once appointed as Gujarat Tourism Chairman also. Vasuben holds her grip over important Jamnagar city in Saurashtra. BJP is not doing so well in Jamnagar area, where it lost Lok Sabha election twice. Modi first made R.C.Faldu, MLA from Jamnagar district as BJP state unit President, and now Jamnagar MLA has been inducted in ministry. The plan is to make leaders out of just MLAs in this district. Another reason for Vasuben’s induction is to balance woman MLA Mayaben Kodnani’s exit. Mayaben, MLA from Ahmedabad’s Naroda constituency had to resign after she was charge sheeted in post Godhra riot related case. If Modi had to replace Mayaben with someone who is a lady, Vasuben was obvious choice.

Pradipsinh Jadeja, once Keshubhai Patel supporter, has been Modi loyalist for last some years. He is known as young, energatic, and proactive MLA with strong Hindutva base. Former Gujarat BJP Youth wing President, and ex-GNFC Chairman, Jadeja’s constituency Asarwa is in Ahmedabad, the city that witnessed its two MLAs’ exit from the ministry, first one Mayaben Kodnani, and the second one Shri Amit Shah.