No announcement yet, but at this point of time Nitin Patel emerges as likely next Chief Minister of Gujarat

Gandhinagar: Shri Nitinbhai Ratilal Patel, cabinet minister in Chief Minister Anandiben Patel led government for the departments of Health, Medical Education, Family Welfare, Road and Building and Capital Project is emerging as top choice of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) for the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Nitin Patel was senior most minister after Chief Minister Narendra Modi between 2012 and 2014. Anandiben Patel was second senior most minister after Nitinbhai Patel. However in 2014 when Narendrabhai left for Delhi to become Prime Minister, the party selected Anandiben Patel to succeed Narendrabhai and not Nitinbhai though he was the most senior. Party thought that Anandiben would retire at 75 as per new criteria of retirement fixed by party. She has only this chance to become Chief Minister. She is serving party since late 1987. She has been minister handling various departments and she is a woman. This chance to make a woman Chief Minister for less than half terms should not be missed. Nitin Patel though is senior most, he is around 60 and he can have chance to become Chief Minister later.

As Anandiben is approaching 75 and has submitted her resignation, it seems Nitinbhai is emerging as likely choice for the post of Chief Minister.

This if happen can be called natural elevation as he is number two in Anandiben government. Nitinbhai is one of few ministers in present Gujarat government who was elected as MLA as early as in 1990. Barring one electoral defeat and change of constituency once, he has been a winner in assembly elections. Nitinbhai belongs to Patel community from North Gujarat. He is presently MLA of Mahesana assembly constituency.

Born on 22 June 1956, 60-year-old Nitin Patel is commerce graduate. He is into cotton ginning/pressing and oil business. He has been associated with various educational institutes.

Nitin patel started his career from municipality of small Kadi town near Ahmedabad in North Gujarat. He was municipality Councillor for twenty years.

Nitin Patel was elected MLA in 8th Gujarat assembly in 1990. He stayed as MLA for five years term till 1995 and reelected to assembly in 1995. He remained MLA in 9th assembly for two years till 1997. He was reelected as MLA in 1998 and became member of Khaatari samiti, Jaaher Sahaso and Andaj Samiti.

He was appointed as minister of Health and Family Welfare in 9th assembly between 19 March 1995 and 20 October 1995 and later between 21 October 1995 and 18 September 1996.

In 10th Gujarat Assembly(1998-2002) he was made minister for Agriculture, Small and Medium Irrigation Projects department on 31st March 1998.

Between 16 May 1999 and 7 October 2001 he was given additional charge of ministry of Small and Medium Irrigation projects, Road and Building department(works under Panchayats).

Between 7 October 2001 and 22 December 2002 he was given additional charge of Finance and Revenue. When he was Finance Minister in year 2002, he was member of Government of India’s Empower Committee to implement Value Added Tax(VAT). Patel has two sons and wife in his family.

Patel was Urban Development, Water Supply, Water Resources minister between 2007 and 2012 in 12th assembly.

Nitinbhai was Finance, Health, Medical Education, Family Welfare and Transport minister in then Narendra Modi government in 2012.

DeshGujarat