Political circles in Gujarat are abuzz with speculation over Anandiben Patel’s imminent exit as State Chief Minister as part of the BJP high command’s strategic decision ahead of the State Assembly polls next year.
Anandiben Patel on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss a host of issues in the State, including the drought situation. Nitin Patel, who holds an array of portfolios including Health, Medical Education, Road and Building, Family Welfare and Capital Project, too met the Prime Minister and BJP president Amit Shah.
According to sources, the BJP is “anxious” about the politic situation in the State on account of a report submitted recently by Modi’s confidant and BJP general secretary Om Mathur. The report finds fault with Anandiben’s handling of the Patel agitation and highlights the urgent need to end infighting in the State unit. The report apparently proposes a change in both the Government and party structure if the party wants to hold power in 2017, sources said.
It is understood that Anandiben might be appointed as Governor of Punjab or Haryana. The 75-year-old was handpicked as Chief Minister of the State by Modi after he vacated the post to become the Prime Minister of the country in 2014. Age may also be a factor in the decision, as Modi has set an age limit for leaders to be active in political posts.
The BJP has been in power in Gujarat uninterruptedly for the last 18 years (almost 13 years under Modi). The results of the Gujarat civic polls in which the BJP retained the urban municipal corporations while the Congress managed to win in the rural areas in the panchayats has brought to the forefront the question if the Congress can wrest power from the BJP in Gujarat in 2017.
Meanwhile, Anandiben Patel has decided to cancel all her scheduled programmes over the next three days. Besides, she did not attend the co-ordination meeting of Gujarat’s MPs at the party headquarters even though she had returned to the State Capital after meeting Modi.
Already three names are being discussed for the post of next Chief Minister of Gujarat including senior Minister Nitin Patel, Gujarat BJP president Vijay Rupani and State BJP organising secretary Bhikhu Dalsania.
After the BJP’s historic win in the 2014 lok Sabha polls Dalsania emerged as one of the contenders to become Modi’ successor in Gujarat. He is again being considered as the possible replacement of Anandiben.