Abdul Hafiz Lakhani l Clarion India
AHMEDABAD/GANDHINAGAR — In what looks like a major political development, the Vijay Rupani-led BJP government in Gujarat is facing a crisis of confidence. The Congress party has offered CM post to deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and hopes he would break up the ruling party in the state.
The offer comes close on the heels of a statement by Patel that he is the odd man out in the state party and government. This happens at a time when Rajya Sabha polls from the state is round the corner.
At a stone-laying event on February 29 for the ‘Maa Umiya Temple’, to be built as the tallest shrine in Ahmedabad, Patel said about his isolation in the government and the party: “I have reached here only because of the blessings of the Maa. Everybody knows that I am on the one side, whereas everybody else is on the other side.”
The Opposition Congress party quickly offered Patel the post of chief minister if he came out of the present government. A senior legislator of the Congress party Virji Thummar, who made the offer to Patel, said, “I am making this offer in a personal capacity. If Nitin Patel quits BJP along with 15-20 MLAs, and is ready to accept the Congress ideology of secularism and commitment to the poor, the farmers and the youth, the party will support him as the next CM of Gujarat.”
Thummar went on, “Like we have supported the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra where the Mahagathbandhan government is running well, Nitin Patel’s dream can come true with our support.”
He added: “On Saturday, at a social function, Nitin Patel had said, he was alone and all were against him in the BJP. Patel is a very good person and works for the people. If he feels lonely in the BJP, we are ready to support him, provided he quits and joins us with 20 BJP MLAs. I can convince my party to extend Patel the necessary support,” the senior MLA added.
Earlier, Congress Legislative Party deputy leader Shailesh Parmar had also claimed that “BJP MLAs unhappy with the party and the government are going to join the Congress soon.”
On Friday, minister of state for home Pradipsinh Jadeja had invited Congress MLA Gulabsinh Rajput to the BJP. This counter offer was made on the floor of the house. Such offers are likely to continue as the RS election will be held towards the end of March.
In reply, Nitin Patel told the House, “I don’t want to go anywhere. The Congress should stop daydreaming. I have been misinterpreted.” Patel was referring to his speech on February 29. In the 182-member Assembly, the BJP has 103 seats and the Congress 73.
