Gujarat’s new CM likely after August 15

Will Amit Shah replace Anandiben Patel

With alarm bells ringing in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat, the BJP could possibly take some time to name a successor to chief minister Anandiben Patel, who offered her resignation Monday, announcing her decision on Facebook. The exercise to choose her successor may now be finalised only after Independence Day on August 15.

The BJP parliamentary board, which was expected to meet on Tuesday evening to take a final call, has been delayed as Mr Modi was “preoccupied”. The board may now meet on Wednesday.

Besides other names, speculation is also rife that BJP president Amit Shah may be rushed to Gandhinagar to replace Ms Anandiben Patel, at least for the time being, given the volatile situation in the state. Other top leaders and strategists were of the opinion that if Mr Shah was sent to Gujarat at this juncture, the BJP’s electoral gameplan in Uttar Pradesh could take a major hit and that the party, which has lost Delhi and Bihar, cannot afford to lose the high-stakes UP Assembly polls. Also, being the “closest” to the Prime Minister, Mr Shah’s moving out of Delhi could lead to major organisational problems in the party.

What is also worrying the BJP leaders is BSP supremo Mayawati’s proposed visit to Una on Thursday to meet the family members of the dalits who were assaulted after they were found allegedly skinning a dead cow. The cow was reportedly killed by a lion.

Ms Mayawati’s Una visit has become a major cause of concern for the BJP not merely in the state but also due to the forthcoming UP polls. As Gujarat’s dalits comprised only 7.1 per cent of the state’s population, the ruling BJP had never worried about dalit votes. But with the UP polls nearing and the Patidar community, comprising 20 per cent of Gujarat’s population, up in arms, BJP leaders both at the Centre and in Gujarat are a worried lot. The BJP high command is also considering the option of picking a dalit face as Anandiben Patel’s successor.

Some sources said Anandiben Patel’s sudden move to step down was mainly due to her anger against the top BJP leadership. Her close associates claimed there was a “constant attempt by Delhi’s top leaders (but not Prime Minister Modi) to remove Anandiben”. Some claimed that by stepping down, Ms Patel has “thrown a challenge” to Mr Shah, who they claimed was “wanting to take over as Gujarat chief minister”.

At this point, the BJP has nearly 18 months to put its house in order in the state and find a leader who can match Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who as CM won three consecutive Assembly polls for the party.