For the BJP that calls itself a 'party with a difference' and a 'disciplined party', it has been an embarrassing moment in its model state of Gujarat with Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel continuing to sulk over not being given the key portfolios.
This is Nitin's second term as the deputy chief minister. Despite being the number two in the Vijay Rupani government, he was not given the finance and urban development portfolios but was allotted the roads and buildings, and health and education.
Nitin has not taken charge of the portfolios allotted to him and stayed away from office on the second consecutive day on Saturday. Finance portfolio has been given to Saurabh Patel, a distant relative of Ambanis, who has staged a comeback in the ministry.
Nitin said that it was not about portfolios but about “self-respect”. Speaking to reporters, he said that he had spoken to the party leadership and that he was hopeful of getting a proper reply for his feelings.
Even as Chief Minister Rupani preferred to keep mum, Patidars from Mehsana, Nitin's constituency, rushed to his residence to express solidarity. Lalji Patel of Sardar Patel Group has even called for a Mehsana bandh on January 1, 2018 to protest against the treatment meted out to Nitin. Lalji went a step ahead and even demanded that Nitin be made the chief minister.
In 2016, when Anandiben Patel resigned as chief minister citing age criterion, she had recommended Nitin's name to the post. However, after high drama Rupani was named as the chief minister. While Rupani is considered close to party's national president Amit Shah, Nitin is believed to be close to Anandiben.
On his part, Nitin said that a bandh call should not be given.
Pro-quota Patidar leader Hardik Patel jumped into the controversy and suggested that Nitin join the Congress. Hardik told reporters that they were prepared to talk to the Congress leadership if Nitin and 10 other MLAs were willing to resign.
Hardik said: "As a veteran politician, Nitin bhai has worked hard for 27 years to ensure that the BJP stays in power. The (Patel) community members need to understand that such politicians are being sidelined (in the BJP)."
Interestingly, ever since the Patidar stir began, Nitin has been state government's spokesperson in matters pertaining to the stir and in defending government's policies.
On Saturday evening, Nitin stepped out of his residence to attend a meeting at BJP MLA Babubhai Patel's residence in western part of Ahmedabad. Senior BJP leaders and ministers Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and Kaushik Patel were also present at the meeting.
According to sources, Chudasama has been asked to mediate in the current stand off. Post meeting, Chudasama claimed that the meeting was fruitful. He expressed confidence that Nitin would never leave the party.
Nitin's supporters in Mehsana and several parts of Ahmedabad staged protests demanding the BJP government to respect his stature.
It is believed that some senior BJP leaders from the party's central leadership might come to Ahmedabad to sort out the differences.
