A year before the elections in Gujarat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has changed the face of its government. Bhupendra Patel has been elected as the new Chief Minister, replacing Vijay Rupani. Even more shocking than Rupani's sudden resignation is the announcement of his successor. The BJP leadership once again surprised everyone by giving a big responsibility to Bhupendra, who was out of the list of possible Chief Ministers being prepared by the media and political pundits.
In such a situation, the big question is, why has the BJP put many veterans aside and trusts the 59-year-old MLA for the first time? Actually BJP has hit two targets with one arrow through Bhupendra. BJP has been in power in Gujarat for 27 years and the party has a feeling of anti-incumbency against itself here. The party has tried to cut it off with a new face. It is believed that most of the new faces can be given place in the cabinet as well.
Trying to persuade the Patidar community
Bhupendra Patel comes from the Kadva Patidar community. He is said to have a good hold on the Patidar community. He is also a trustee of Sardardham Vishwa Patidar Kendra, an organization dedicated to the socio-economic development of the Patidar community. The community was angry with the BJP since the Patidar agitation in Gujarat. The Patidar community has a strong presence in Gujarat. In such a situation, the BJP has tried to bring the Patidars to its side through Bhupendra Patel.
Clean image leader is 'Dada'
Bhupendra Patel is known as a soft-spoken activist who has risen from the municipal level leader to the top post in state politics. He contested for the first time in 2017 from the Ghatlodiya assembly seat of the state and won by over 1.17 lakh votes, a record in that election. Patel, fondly called 'Dada' among his supporters, is considered close to Anandiben Patel, former Gujarat chief minister and Uttar Pradesh governor. The assembly he represents is part of the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, from where Union Home Minister Amit Shah is an MP. People who know Patel closely describe him as a down-to-earth leader who meets people with a smile on his face.
