Junagadh, 12 February 2014

As we told you in December last year, former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel is likely to soon resign from the Visavdar assembly seat in Junagadh district. At very old age, he now wants to make a way for his son Bharat Patel’s political career. Bharat rejoined BJP in January this year following which Keshubhai resigned from the post of president of Gujarat Parivartan Party(GPP). Bharat wants to contest from Visavdar seat, but he doesn’t want to wait till next general elections(2017). Therefore Keshubhai has decided to resign from Visavdar seat and invite by-poll. Bharat will be BJP candidate from there. Keshubhai has already announced his decision to resign at Bhesan village today. Bhesan is part of Visavdar assembly constituency. Keshubhai while speaking at Bhesan showed his inability to continue due to weak health. He asked local GPP workers to join BJP if they wish.

“I will tender my resignation from the post of MLA to the Assembly Speaker when the session begins,” the six-time legislator Keshubhai(86) said. The state Assembly session begins from 20 February. Keshubhai has decided to resign before announcement of Lok Sabha general elections(likely in last week of this month or in first week of next month), so that by-poll of Visavdar could happen with Lok Sabha polls in April/May this year.

After completing a wedding function in family early this week which was attended by Narendra Modi, Advani, Bhikhubhai Dalsania, Shankersinh, Arjun Modhwadia, Gordhan Zadafia, Vajubhai Vala and Om Mathur among others, Keshubhai today paid visit to his Visavdar assembly constituency with son Bharat Patel and declared that Gujarat Parivartan Party(GPP) which he founded ahead of the Gujarat assembly election in year 2012 will merge with non-Congress political party(BJP) soon.

Author adds: Bharat is ambitious and wishes to become Chief Minister one day like his father. He is backed by Patel power and he enjoys a familiar assembly seat that may elect him to assembly. However Bharat lacks sharp oratory and debate skills and many other qualities that are essential to become a leader of higher rank.