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New Delhi: “sudden” move To change Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and his entire cabinet had taken many by surprise, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
ThePrint has learned that the decision to remove Rupani was not hasty but was part of a longer plan envisioned by the BJP a few months back.
BJP sources said it was implementation that took some time as the party wanted to avoid protests and ensure a smooth transition, especially given that the state is headed for crucial assembly elections next year.
According to sources, the move of Replacing the entire Gujarat cabinet Several bureaucrats were also taken to send the message, some who were close to the ministers and were calling the shots. At the same time, the party wanted a young team that could harmonize with the state unit, which also saw changes in the leadership of president CR Patil.
“Many bureaucrats had become proxy ministers who were running the portfolios. So this change is also to send out the message that nothing is permanent and they need to work and perform efficiently,” said a senior BJP leader.
Read also: From Modi to Patel, there have been 4 CMs in Gujarat, but this former IAS officer is in the CMO
Outrage among party workers
People aware of the developments told ThePrint that there was a lot of anger in the cadre and many people were demoted because they felt that those in positions of power would continue to shoot, leaving no chance for them in the future as well.
“Not only for the voters but also for the workers it had become very monotonous as we had only one group of ministers,” the leader said. “The decision to replace the current ministers was taken because there was a huge anti-incumbency wave against them and many activists responded that they were not accessible. The need was felt to infuse new energy and build a team of the future.”
Another senior BJP leader said some ministers have been part of the cabinet for 20 years and have served in Modi, Anandiben Patel and two Rupani cabinets (from 2016 to 2021).
“Making a few changes here and there doesn’t serve the purpose as the state needs a complete overhaul like surgery to fix things,” the leader said. “The central leadership wanted to send a message not only to the voters but also to the workers that Gujarat is ready for a new generation.”
A third party leader said these changes are part of the BJP’s new strategy to focus on young leaders and prepare them for the future.
“From Uttarakhand, Assam, we are focusing on youth leaders. Every party needs to think and prepare for the future and Gujarat, which has seen 26 years of continuous BJP rule, needs it the most as things have turned dull.
Caste equations taken into account
BJP replaces Rupani Bhupendra Patel, a low-profile first time MLA but one who is a Patidar.
Patidars or Patels are considered most influential community in Gujarat both economically and politically. The community holds 70 to 90 assembly seats out of the total 182.
even The fourth leader said the ministers who got a place in the new team have done so because the party is keeping in mind the 2022 assembly elections.
According to the leader, the caste balance has been maintained so that the BJP can reach out to specific vote-banks.
“From Patel, OBC, SC, ST to women there is representation in the cabinet. Now the workers are happy and they feel that they may also get a chance in future.
(Edited by Arun Prashant)
Read also: Who is BJP leader Harsh Sanghvi, who has 9 portfolios in the new CM cabinet of Gujarat?
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