GANDHINAGAR: One thing was clear when Ghatlodia MLA Bhupendra Patel was named as next CM of Gujarat – ‘Big Ben’ Anandiben Patel, UP governor, who had to quit the top post in 2016 in the aftermath of a violent quota stir led by Hardik Patel and Dalit agitation in the wake of the flogging of youths in Una, is back in the driver’s seat in Gujarat politics.

Bhupendra is known to be a close supporter of Anandiben’s group and reportedly shares a more than three decade long and strong professional relationship with Ben. He is remembered to be at Ben’s side always during her political career as an MLA and later as minister and CM.
In Bhupendra’s nomination to helm the top post after the exit of Vijay Rupani, local political leaders see a clear hand of Ben. In fact, leaders aver that Bhupendra got lucky as his name got the stamp of approval of Union home minister Amit Shah as well.

There were no surprises then when Bhupendra ensured to acknowledge Ben along with top BJP leadership — PM Narendra Modi, national BJP president JP Nadda and Amit Shah for entrusting him with the role. “I am lucky to have continuous blessings of former Gujarat CM and UP governor Anandiben Patel,” said Bhupendra, who insisted that he had no inkling about his appointment.
It can be said that Bhupendra owes his political career to Ben. During her time as revenue and urban development minister, he was appointed as chairman of the standing committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in 2010 for four consecutive years. He was also appointed chairman of Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority in 2015.

It was Ben who nominated Bhupendra to contest from Ghatlodia, a seat she vacated when she resigned as Gujarat CM. Granted a ticket at the last moment — his name was on the last list of nominated candidates in 2017 elections — he did his mentor proud by winning Ghatlodia seat with a record margin of 1.17 lakh votes in Gujarat.
With Bhupendra as CM, local leadership expects Ben’s say back in the state politics. “There is a good chance that the new CM would seek advice from his mentor to forge ahead on the party’s agenda to walk the tightrope and steer the party to victory in 2022,’ said a senior leader.