GANDHINAGAR: The suspense over who will retain their place in the cabinet of newly appointed chief minister Bhupendra Patel and which of the sitting ministers will be axed to pave way for younger, fresher faces will become clear as Patel’s council of ministers will take oath soon.
The governor’s office or the chief minister’s office (CMO) is, however, yet to announce a formal schedule of the swearing-in ceremony of the council of ministers.
In the intervening period, a quiet unease gripped the state capital amidst broad hints that senior ministers could be dropped. Speculation was rife over a flurry of activities late on Tuesday by aggrieved leaders who apprehend that they could be dispensed.
There were reports of many senior leaders reaching out to each other over the apprehension of an impending, unceremonious exit from the cabinet. Although deputy chief minister Nitin Patel has openly stated that he fully supported the decision of naming Bhupendra Patel as CM, he was visibly emotional when asked about the decision.
Patel, who was passed for a second time for the top post in the state, could become a rallying point for some senior leaders who are reeling under the insecurity of suddenly being rendered dispensable.
Earlier, in 2017, Nitin Patel had refused to take charge of the portfolios assigned to him as he was not given the finance portfolio. A sulking Nitin Patel was then given the portfolio after intervention from senior BJP leader Amit Shah.
Key sources in the ruling party said the new cabinet will be a balancing act representing regions, castes and communities and that younger MLAs are likely to be inducted into the cabinet.
Although top leaders of the BJP held a series of meetings to finalise members of the new cabinet, until Tuesday evening, none of the MLAs had been formally summoned to Gandhinagar to prepare for the swearing-in.
Sources said, “Earlier, the new cabinet was expected to be sworn in by Wednesday, but the ceremony will now be held later. CM Bhupendra Patel, state BJP president C R Paatil and Gujarat BJP incharge Bhupendra Yadav, who has been camping in the state over the weekend, held several meetings with Amit Shah.
Patel, Paatil and Yadav also had meetings with the MLAs who are hopeful of getting a cabinet berth. So far though, none of the MLAs have been formally summoned for preparations of their entry into the cabinet.”
Commenting on what is expected next, sources said, “After preparing a list of probables, the CM and Paatil will discuss it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. Most of the MLAs who will be finalised for a cabinet berth will be informed soon.”
“The names of those who will be in the council of ministers will be made public soon.”
Balancing act focus on inclusivity
A key source said, “As former CM Vijay Rupani is no longer at the helm of affairs, representation from Saurashtra will increase. In order to be inclusive, a few cabinet ministers and ministers of state are expected to be dropped and OBC MLAs are likely to be given ministerial berths. At the same time, a couple of MoS-rank ministers are likely to be elevated to cabinet rank.”
