Even as the BJP's parliamentary board is expected to announce a new Gujarat Chief Minister in the next few days following Anandiben Patel's exit, already few names for the new incumbent are making rounds in the political circles of Gujarat.
Though sources close to the top BJP leaders are not denying surprise package, current Gujarat BJP president and Cabinet Minister in Anandiben Patel Government Vijay Rupani is believed to be the frontrunner for the most coveted post in the State.
A known close-aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi having exceptional organisational ability, Rupani belongs to Jain Baniya community. He can be the best bet for the BJP to neutralize caste factor in context of on-going issues of pro-quota agitation, post Una episode related to beating of Dalit youths and emerging OBC movement in the state.
In case the 60-year-old leader coming from the Saurasthra region would be announced on Tuesday, it would a great birthday gift for him as Rupani was born on August 2, 1956. The MlA from Rajkot West assembly constituency remained Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from 2006-2011. He started his political career as RSS worker and later on in 1971 joined Jan Sangh.
Other prominent name making round is Gujarat BJP's organising secretary Bhikhubhai Dalsania. After historic win of BJP in 2014 lok Sabha polls, Dalsania's name was emerged as one of the contenders to become Narendra Modi' successor in Gujarat. Once again, the RSS man believing in working silently in party's organisational structure emerged as one of the contenders for the Chief Minister's post.
Apart from Rupani and Dalsania, names of Gujarat's senior cabinet Minister Nitin Patel, former state BJP president RC Faldu and even Union Minister of State for Panchayti Raj Parshotam Rupala are also being discussed. Barring Nitin Patel who is from North Gujarat town Kadi, all the three - Dalsania, Rupala and Faldu are from Saurasthra region and belonging to Kadva Patel community. Name of Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ganapat Vasava is also making round. Highly educated Vasava is not only young in his forties but he belongs to tribal community too.
Even a faction BJP envisaging BJP's national president Amit Shah's entry in Gujarat as the Chief Minister. However, chances of Shah becoming the new CM are blink in view of the upcoming assembly polls in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. A section of powerful business community is expecting Gujarat's finance Minister Saurabh Patel for the post. Though Patel is considered as an intellectual, but many in the party strongly believe that he lacks mass appeal. According to a senior BJP leader, what BJP requires at the moment is a state level leader with mass appeal in order to win 2017 assembly polls and retain power in Gujarat.