In a big blow to the Bharatiya Janta Party, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel resigned from her post saying it was time "the younger generation gets an opportunity to work." The move comes in the aftermath of the violent Dalit protests burning the state.
In the dramatic announcement, posted on her official website linked with her Facebook and Twitter, a noticeably disconcerted Anandiben said she decided to pass on the baton in deference to the age ceiling of 75 years set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CM, who took the seat in 2014, after Modi moved on the the National Capital, had a rough two years in power. Her leadership was first marred by the Patel reservation protests that saw BJP losing out on the votes of an epic section of the Patel community. For those who didn't know better, the resignation lay long overdue.
Just when the ashes left behind by the Patel protests began to cool down, the July 11 flogging of four Dalit boys divided the state yet again, leaving Anandiben in a fray of her losing power in the party. Add to this, allegations of land scams involving her family, and the arrival of BJP president Amit Shah, and what remained, was a pile of hot mess for 'Ben' to clear up. Speculations of her resignation rose when the Patel andolan began, as many in her party felt she did not meet up the challenge and lacked the grit to deal with the crisis; particularly one that threatened to affect the ruling government in the state.
In her post, Anandiben wrote that she had sought to resign from the party two months earlier, to give "enough time to the new incumbent to prepare for important events like the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat summit." She said, "I had the opportunity to take up several responsibilities as a worker in the Bharatiya Janata Party, for the last 30 years. The party gave me critical assignments in the organisation as well as in the government. Which I consider my good fortune."
"I had requested senior leaders of the party to relieve me of this responsibility two months ago. Today, once again through this letter I humbly request the party's senior leadership to relieve me of the chief minister's responsibility. I have had the opportunity to serve the dignified people of Gujarat and I have tried my level best to reach the benefits of the services to the last man," she said.
Responding to the announcement, Amit Shah said, "She has requested the party to relieve her of the post. I will place the letter she has written to me before the (BJP) parliamentary board and it will take a decision. She has said that if a new person has to be brought in, then he should get time. Gujarat elections have to take place in 2017, and there is also the Vibrant Gujarat summit in January, which has been a long tradition. She said if Vibrant Gujarat has to happen in January, then the new person should get the opportunity now."
Appointing Anandiben as the Gujarat chief minister was a move personally made by Modi himself. The decision, which none of the party could oppose, was taken with a pinch of salt, as several party leaders saw Shah in her place. Anandiben had strained relationships with senior ministers, including Saurabh Patel, and then party president RC Faldu.
Patel Reservation Agitation
Anandiben's flustered take on the violent reservation protest drove an unrepairable rift between her and her community. While Patels felt she did not have it in her to offer them what they wanted, her fellow leaders shook their heads in disbelief as the 2015 civic polls reflected of the consequences. A state that was once known as the mainstay of the BJP, saw the party losing out, especially in rural areas.
The state once again reeled under quota stress and Patidar leader Hardik Patel made the nastiest of jibes at Anandiben, all met with matching savouriness. Anandiben's government invoked the harshest sedition charges against Hardik and other protesters, further damaging her relationship with the community. It took a last minute intervention by Saurabh Patel for normalcy to return to the region.
Dalit Protest
Four Dalit youths were flogged and brutalised by self-acclaimed 'gau rakshaks' for allegedly skinning a dead cow. Repercussions of which, are still seen in areas of Gujarat. The power of technology spread the news like wildfire, but the CM took her time addressing the issue. Visiting the victims eight days after angry Dalits took to the roads, what she clearly didn't comprehend, was the taking up of the issue in the Rajya Sabha.
The BJP had no answers, and it was possibly the first time the country turned towards Gujarat, after the 2002 Godhra riots.
All the arguments aside, all wasn't lost under her governance. Just before she chose to quit, Anandiben initiated quite a few moves that gave her supporters something to grind on. Abolishing of highway toll for small and private vehicles, making higher education free for girls from lower-middle class families, withdrawal of nearly 90 per cent of the cases filed against Patidar families, are amongst them.
Once the dust settles on her resignation, the question of who will take the reins next, arises. The Gujarat Modi left behind was a glorified unity of Hindutva, a place where the BJP once roared. What lies now is a dishevelled state with a cracked ruling government. It is not enough for just another chief minister. Gujarat perhaps needs another Modi.
Race for Power
Names of several BJP leaders have popped up to replace Anandiben. In a party meeting held in New Delhi, Amit Shah said it would take two to three days to announce her successor. The main contenders for the CM's post are:
Amit Shah, 52
He is deemed to be the reason behind the speculations of Anandiben's ouster began. The national party president, Amit Shah is the second most powerful figure after Modi.
Parshottam Rupala, 62
National BJP vice-president, Rupala was recently appointed as the minister of state, agriculture, in the central cabinet. Once a popular contender for Anandiben's post, Rupala is an admired orator in Gujarat, following Modi, of course.
Nitin Patel, 60
Officially No. 2 in the cabinet, Gujarat's health and family welfare minister, Nitin Patel, sure knows how to throw his weight around. He was deputed by the party high command to manage the Patidar crisis and headed a panel of seven ministers that looked into the demand.
Vijay Rupani, 60
Rupani is considered to be the most non-controversial leader in the party. He is widely accepted by his party members and is capable of handling political crisis well.
Saurabh Patel, 58
One of the most educated ministers in the state cabinet, Patel became prominent during the reservation protests last year. He is the brains behind Asia's biggest solar power project.
