Bharatiya Janata Party’s Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel took Oath on September 12 as the 17th Chief Minister of Gujarat, succeeding Vijay Rupani, whose resignation comes as a surprise.
Patel, 59, hails from a Patidar community and is the first member of the Kadva sub-caste. The Patidar are a prominent caste with some influence over the economy, particularly in the education, cooperative sector, real estate and construction. They comprise 13% to 14% of Gujarat’s population. He is MLA from the Ghatlodia seat, which the former Gujarat chief minister represented, Anandiben Patel, also perceived as a close aide of Bhupendra Patel.
Early life and political journey
Born on July 15, 1962, in Ahmedabad, he completed his diploma in Civil Engineering from the Government Polytechnic in 1982. He was chosen as a member of Memnagar Nagarpalika for the first time in 1995 and was reelected in 1999 and 2004. Patel also served as Memnagar municipal board’s president between 1999-2000.
From 2008 to 2010, he remained as vice president of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s school board. He was elected as a councillor from the Thaltej ward. After five years, in 2015, he took the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority’s (AUDA’S) chairman position.
He became the legislator for the first time in 2017 for the Ghatlodia constituency by defeating the Indian National Congress’ Shashikant Patel with a margin of 1,17,000 votes, the highest for any constituency in the state for the BJP in that election.
Patel founded a real-estate business named Vihan Associates, which is mainly located in Ahmedabad, while his son and son-in-law are also engaged in the construction business in Shilaj.
Patel will enrich Gujarat’s trajectory: PM Modi
While congratulating Patel on swearing-in, PM Modi tweeted, “Congratulations to Bhupendra Bhai on taking oath as CM of Gujarat. I have known him for years and have seen his exemplary work, be it in the BJP Organisation or in civic administration and community service. He will certainly enrich Gujarat’s growth trajectory,”
Vijay Rupani worked tirelessly for all sections of society: Modi
PM Modi lauded former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani’s work and stated, “During his five years as CM, Vijay Rupani Ji has undertaken many people-friendly measures. He worked tirelessly for all sections of society. I am certain he will continue to contribute to public service in the times to come.”
Patel expressed gratitude to Anandiben, Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda
Post the meeting of the BJP legislature party on deciding him as CM, Patel thanked Anandiben Patel, PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national President JP Nadda.
New leadership for the elections: Former CM Vijay Rupani
“The BJP is a party with a difference. Today is an example of it. We have new leadership for the elections, and all the MLAs will extend all support to him,” Rupani said.
The reason behind Rupani’s replacement
It has been believed that Rupani’s management of the COVID-19 situation led him to exit the chief ministerial position.
State election
The BJP secured 99 of the state’s 182 Assembly seats, whereas Congress won 77 seats in the 2017 state election. Gujarat is set to go for polls in December 2022.
BJP will win 2022 state election: BJP Gujarat Chief CR Patil
“We are confident of winning the upcoming elections under his (Patel’s) leadership,” CR Patil, Gujarat BJP chief said.
