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BJP Springs Double Surprise In Gujarat

By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2021-09-13 05:51:24

The BJP has sprung a double surprise in Gujarat. Without any buzz, it suddenly removed Vijay Rupani as chief minister ahead of the state polls next year and then selected first-time MLA Bhupendra Patel to be the new chief minister, bypassing several stalwarts whose names were said to be in the reckoning. Although Rupani said that the party reassigns roles to its leaders, it is clear even he was not ready for the shift. Later, Rupani proposed Patel's name for the top job and it was approved by the party legislators.

It is clear that the BJP wants to be battle ready for the polls next year. It is also clear that the party perceives that Vijay Rupani is not the ideal candidate to lead its fight. There are many reasons for this. The party wants to fight anti-incumbency by resetting the government. Rupani's handling of the Covid crisis has not won him many admirers. Further, the party wants to woo the Patidar's, the dominant community that is miffed at not having either the chief minister or the state unit president from their ranks.

Although the Congress is not likely to put up the same fight it did in 2017, hamstrung as it is with defections and loss of faith among voters (as evidenced in its declining vote share), the Aam Aadmi Party has made inroads in the state, especially in Surat. There is an indication that Patidar and Congress voters are shifting allegiance to AAP. That is a cause of worry for the BJP. Although a divided opposition will benefit the party, it cannot take chances. Thus, it wants to present a fresh face before electorate to lead its fight in 2022.

But it remains to be seen whether Bhupendra Patel will be given a free hand. With so many BJP stalwarts from the state at the helm in the Centre and in the party setup, Patel will always have to be on his guard. His only relief will come from the fact that the party will not like to effect another change going into the elections as it will give a wrong signal to the people. 

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