Rupani in power, Shah in control, what happened in Kamalam in last minutes

By Rupang Bhatt
Gandhinagar: The election of new Chief Minister of Gujarat was actually very simple this time, but it not absolutely fairly handled affair.

First of all, Anandiben Patel’s exit was not graceful enough. The party could give her exit in better way. The party however says her exit was Anandiben’s own decision and not party’s decision.

While discussions were on to choose successor of Anandiben, one of the two names in discussion was Gujarat BJP president Vijay Rupani.

However Rupani only couple of days back on his own came before media and gave a statement that he was continuing in party organization and happy doing organizational work only.

He thus gave clear message that he was not for the post of Chief Minister. In popular language he signaled he was out of race.

The other name in discussion for the post of Chief Minister was Nitin Patel who didn’t deny possibility of his election as Chief Minister and most of the time smiled when asked about this.

Obviously as Nitinbhai might have received confirmation on his selection as next Chief Minister during his meeting with Amit Shah yesterday, he today gave interviews to media channels(Nitinbhai is also spokesperson of Gujarat government and he is very media friendly). During the interviews he received congratulations and replied them with thanks. Nitinbhai was giving interview as if his election as next Chief Minister was certain and he was formally communicated about it. This was Nitinbhai’s mistake perhaps. Ideally he could do away with this till the time formal election process was over. But it is believed that Nitinbhai choose to give TV interviews only after he was conveyed about his selection by party for the post of CM. When asked today evening whether he was communicated actually, Nitinbhai said, “no comment”.

Through various sources following narration of events is received.

Before the meeting of legislature group of Gujarat BJP originally scheduled at 4.00 pm, a closed door meeting was held in presence of Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, V.Satish, Anandiben, Vijaybhai and others at State party headquarters Kamalam.

Party sources say, there were heated discussion for a while involving Anandiben Patel and Amit Shah in presence of Gadkari. Anandiben literally cried and alleged before Gadkari that attempts were made to destabilize her government. Some ministers like Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Saurabh Patel were called inside the room and asked whether they had faced any interference in govt by national party president? They denied.

Amit Shah refused to accept the name of Nitinbhai Patel as new Chief Minister and insisted that his loyalist and state party president Vijay Rupani would be a new Chief Minister. This was not acceptable to Anandiben from day one.

BJP national joint organizational general secretary V.Satish came out of the meeting room and went to other room behind the media room, where he spoke to someone over phone call(one or more). It is believed that he spoke to his immediate senior in party Shri Ramanlal who is organizational general secretary of party. Shri Ramlal is pracharak and he comes from RSS. It is also believed that Prime Minister was directly or indirectly consulted.

V. Satish came back to meeting room and spoke about guidance received from Delhi.

While Nitin Patel’s name was selected earlier, the Delhi leadership said it had no problem with Vijay Rupani’s name either.

Nitinbhai’s name was settled for Deputy Chief Minister’s post. Rupani’s name was selected for the post of Chief Minister. As final authority in Delhi was consulted and solution had arrived from that level, there was no point of further disputing the decision. It was accepted by all.

This whole discussion delayed the legislature meeting.

Last minute change of name, announcement of Vijay Rupani who had earlier declared he was continuing in organization only – this all was surprising for party workers. The announcement of new Chief Minister should actually energize the party cadre across the state. Fire bursting, distribution of sweet etc. are generally seen across the state on such occasion in BJP, but today it was completely flat and dry evening. That’s because everyone was in shock.
After all whatever happened at Kamalam was in discussion in electronic media.

Two messages were clear. Amit Shah is completely in control of Gujarat. He is final authority here. And this is good for the party in a way, because two groups(Shah and Anandiben) perception was not healthy scenario. The negative message coming out for a time being from this development was that these are not straight people. They are cunning. They do things secretively, they say something and ultimately do something. Not completely trustworthy and decent lot.

Nitin Patel after all is senior most minister in outgoing Chief Minister Anandiben Patel’s cabinet. He could be conveyed a day ago by party leadership that his name was not final. He could then easily do away with all those TV interviews he gave today at around noon. Even his wife had given TV byte signalling his elevation as CM. The Junior most cabinet minister in Anandiben Patel cabinet is now superior to senior most cabinet minister Nitinbhai.

Then why Vijaybhai announced before the media couple of days ago that he was continuing in organization only? It is believed that Rupani was instructed to say so to avoid any disturbance from Anandiben’s side and to keep her in dark till last moment. It is widely discussed that Anandiben was against Vijay Rupani’s elevation. She was strongly pitching for Nitin Patel’s elevation as Chief Minister. That is partially because Anandiben was number three in Narendra Modi cabinet post year 2012 general elections. Nitinbhai was senior to her and on number two position, but Anandiben was made Chief Minister. Now when Anandiben stepped down, she thought Nitinbhai deserves the post. Also she believed that making someone Chief Minister who is not from Patidar community is bad idea at this juncture politically speaking.

To keep Ben in dark and to avoid any reaction from her side, Rupani was instructed to announce his withdrawal from the race to become Chief Minister.

Amit Shah finally did what he wished for. Vijay Rupani is completely Shah’s man. Both Rupani and Shah are Vanik. Rupani is Jain Baniya while Shah is Vaishnav Baniya. They enjoy excellent connection. Rupani enjoys good connection with PM too.

Today’s political development at Kamalam was in fact display of Baniya buddhi of both. If utilized well and properly, this Baniya buddhi can bring benefits to party and Gujarat. from party’s point of view the new team is better than past if it works unitedly. But will it able to work that way?

Vijay Rupani is first time MLA and he has been made cabinet minister first, party president next year and now the Chief Minister. Circles close to Rupani say he should not be evaluated this way. Rupani could not become MLA because Vajubhai Vala was selected every time for the seat claimed by Rupani. At least in two elections, Rupani was denied party ticket because of Vajubhai Vala. He therefore could kick start his electoral career late. But he contributed immensely in organization. Leave electoral politics, Ruani otherwise is very senior in party organization. He was jailed during emergency and he was student leader when Jailty and Sushil Modi were also student leaders. However in ministry, Rupani is relatively new. And therefore it has to be seen that how he tackles ministers who are his seniors till today, and how ministers senior to him actually extend support to him as Chief Minister. Rupani has blessings of Delhi and therefore this task would be relatively easier for him. But ministers need to work with him not due to fear of Amit shah and Delhi but by heart. Then only good results will be achieved.

Rupani is not from Patidar community. Section of Patidars in Gujarat believe hat they, based on the number of their population in Gujarat deserve to rule the state forever and someone from their community should be the Chief Minister. The way Anandiben Patel and Nitin Patel were at least in general perception ’embarrassed’ today, the way Patidar agitation is already going on, Rupani is going to face challenge in this domain. Good thing is, Nitin Patel is sixty and he has long way to go. He can settle with the post of Deputy Chief Minister. For him, this is also an elevation because he was just a minister earlier. Happy go lucky attitude would suit him. About Anandiben, Delhi can control her. Anandiben has no dedicated group of loyal MLAs or large number of party workers.

Some believe Rupani has been made Chief Minister for a particular time being. After Uttar Pradesh elections, Shah would be back to Gujarat replacing him. Let’s see.

For now one thing is clear. With Rupani in place, Shah would be able to do whatever he wish in order to ensure party’s victory in December 2017 Gujarat assembly general elections, responsibility of which is on his shoulder. This is good news for party because with Anandiben in place, Shah was not able to micromanage the things in govt even when absolutely needed for party’s benefit.

DeshGujarat