Ahmedabad: The suspense over the next chief minister of Gujarat will be broken on Friday evening, but possibly not before a round of drama involving BJP president Amit Shah.
The call will be taken at a meeting of the state MLAs including Shah in the presence of central observers Nitin Gadkari and Saroj Pandey. Sources in the state BJP say the MLAs have almost scripted their moves for the legislators meet in Shri Kamalam at Koba near Gandhinagar. Of 121 MLAs in the state, nearly all of them are likely to vociferously demand Amit Shah to lead them sending a message loud and clear to the outgoing Chief Minister Anandiben Patel of Shah's popularity and his hold over the party in the state. Shah will succeed in scoring a strong political point.
BJP sources in Delhi tell us Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen on Shah continuing as president of the BJP as there are 10 states going to polls in 2017-18 where the BJP is a big stakeholder. Another reason cited is that Shah is undoubtedly the most trusted man for Modi in Delhi. The duo who gave Lutyens Delhi a surprise during the recent cabinet reshuffle, could well spring another one, time perhaps on their home state.
The theatrics apart, if the BJP decides to go for the "second best choice" here are the names in the fray.
Nitin Patel
The seniormost minister in Anandiben Patel’s cabinet is seen as acceptable to both factions. It’s an open secret in the state that Shah and Patel don't get along. But the name of Nitin Patel is not finding consensus and a strong section of the party feels that he doesn’t enjoy the stature of a decisive leader who could lead them to the crucial battle of 2017. Another argument given is that replacing a Patel with a Patel will only send a wrong message to other castes in the state and will isolate the BJP further. What may work for him, a leader said, is the fact that he is a Patel from North Gujarat which was the epicentre of the Patidar agitation.
Vijay Rupani
At the betting market in Gujarat the numbers are stacked in favour of Vijay Rupani, though the state BJP president has more or less opted out of the race.
Sources say Anandiben Patel has communicated to senior party leaders that she doesn't want Vijay Rupani as her successor. In fact, sources highlight that Rupani's on-record statement on Wednesday, that he was happy doing the organisation work and was not in the race for CM, was after BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal asked him up to do so.
Vijay Rupani, seen as Amit Shah's right-hand man is a first-time MLA from Rajkot West who was appointed BJP State president three months ago despite Anandiben Patel's opposition. After Rupani assumed charge there was a complete breakdown of communication between the organisation and the government in Gujarat. What works in favour of Rupani, a Jain, is the stand taken by him during the Patidar agitation where he emerged as an acceptable voice for them.
Bhikhu Dalsania
A dark horse who could emerge at the last minute. Someone whose name had cropped up even in 2014 when Narendra Modi had to head to New Delhi after vacating the post of Gujarat Chief Minister. Bhikhu Dalsania, an RSS man who is general secretary in the state, acts as a coordinator between the BJP and the RSS.
After arriving in Ahmedabad, Amit Shah held talks with the MLAs at his residence in Ahmedabad on Thursday evening. In a show of unity, Rupani and Nitin Patel appeared outside shah's residence to speak to the media. If it was for the cameras, it was well choreographed.
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