Dy CM Nitin Patel finally assumes charge of office, gets Finance portfolio, high voltage drama ends

Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad/Mahesana:

Ending the over two day long ‘high voltage’ political drama and giving a jolt to ‘hopes’ of both Congress and its supported PAAS leader Hardik Patel, Senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel today official took charge of his office here.

Finance Portfolio was later handed over to him again taking it back from Saurabh Patel.

CM Vijay Rupani said that the finance portfolio has been given to DyCM Nitin Patel and he has written the concerned letter to Governor regarding this.

Talking to newsmen here before his first trip to his home-city of Rajkot after taking the charge of CM for the second consecutive term, Rupani said, ‘The party high command had decided to do some reshuffle in portfolios keeping in view the sentiments of Nitinbhai. And accordingly the Finance department has been given to him.’

‘Now the issue that has arisen has been resolved. Now We all need to work together so that the fruits of development reach more and more people in the coming five years,’ he said.

Taking a dig at Congress and PAAS leader Hardik Patel, Rupani said,’ on the happenings of last two days the mouths of the opposition and opponents had got watered but the ghee is back in the container of ghee. Such small things do happen in a big family but it is all over.’

Notably, Patel himself in Mahesana told newsmen that Congress saw an opportunity in the issue but it knew not that it was him.

‘Congress knew not that it was Nitin Patel, a core BJP man who can’t even imagine of leaving the party and accepting any offer of congress. I have become a six time MLA and the party has given me so much including the post of Deputy CM twice,’ he said.

Notably Nitin Patel has now Finance, Road and building, health and family welfare, medical education, Narmada, Kalpsar and capital Project departments instead of last times’ Finance, Urban Development and Urban Housing, Road and Building, Capital Project, Narmada, Kalpasar, Petrochemicals.

It is understood that he wanted the ‘creamy’ urban development department more than the Finance. One of his supporter and former minister Narrotam Patel after meeting him yesterday had also made a point about urban development ministry.

Earlier, after taking charge of the office in his chamber in Swanim Sankul 1, Patel said that he had in fact started his job soon after taking the oath on December 26 by holding a meeting of concerned officials about the procurement of groundnut at support price.

‘Today I am formally taking charge of the office in my chamber. Our ministers have also taken charge of their respective offices and I believe that with auspicious day of New Year from January 1, 2018 tomorrow the government would start functioning spontaneously. The responsibility the people of the state have given to us even after 22 years of rule would be taken care of and we would continue to work for the prosperity of Gujarat under the able leadership of PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amitbhai Shah,’ he said.

He reiterated that he was not annoyed with the party but had just wanted a respectful portfolio befitting his experience. He said that he did not know as to which portfolio he would be offered. Notably, after the allocation of portfolios in the night of December 28, Patel, who was deprived of Finance, Urban Development and Petrochemicals departments, had taken an angry posture. He had confined him to his private residence in Ahmedabad and was not even using the government escort. The whole issue had also taken a castist turn with Patidars from all forums had expressed solidarity with Patel. Even his hardcore critic Hardik Patel had also made offers to him.

After taking charge of the office he went to his home-town Mahesana where he was accorded a grand welcome by supporters. Fire-crackers were also burst on the occasion. Patel time and again expressed his solidarity with BJP and thanked the party and its leadership including PM Narendra Modi and president Amit Shah.

Earlier after getting assurance of allocation of important portfolios from party president Amit Shah, ‘sulking’ Patel had at his Ahmedabad residence announced that he would take charge of his office today at 11.39 am in Gandhinagar. He said that Shah had telephoned him at 7.30 am and asked him to take charge of office. Shah assured him that he would be given important portfolios and Chief Minister Rupani will inform Governor about the same in the afternoon today itself.

Patel said: ‘I wished for allocation of important departments suitable to the office of Deputy Chief Minister who enjoys number two status in the government. I had spoken to Amit Shah, Ramlalji and others and expressed my feelings. They held consultation at their level and today at 7.30 am Amit Shah informed me over phone that the process of assigning me important portfolios was on. I have been told by Amit Shah over phone today morning that Chief Minister Rupani will hand over a letter to Governor today afternoon regarding allocation of new departments to me as decided by party. As per Shah’s directive I am going to take charge of my office today at 11.39 am in Gandhinagar.’

Patel said he held talk with V. Satishji at Circuit house yesterday and also met senior ministers. Patel said RSS leaders Chintanbhai, Hasmukhbhai also met him, veteran party leader Surendrakaka also advised him and offered guidance. Nitin Patel said he didn’t seek important departments but continuance of earlier portfolios that were suitable to the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

Patel said, ‘I have been always with my party in last 40 years without any deviation, even in adverse situations. I’m thankful to Prime Minister and Party chief. Even in worst situation, I’m for my BJP for lifetime. Others who made offers to switch over,only wanted to benefit from situation.’

Patel thanked his supporters and Patidar caste hardliner group SPG and its leader Lalji Patel.
To a query he said also said that Congress as always tried to do politics in this internal issue. ‘They wished that I would leave the party and the BJP government would fall so that they could form a government. But I am not in politics for any power or gain but for ideology and service to the nation. I am in with the party since the time of Jansangh and I can’t think of living without it,’ he said.

To a query about PAAS leader Hardik Patel who had offered him to join hands with him and Congress, Patel said that he had not invited any one to come to him.

He said that he was thankful to all his supporters who stood by him.

Meanwhile the end of this political drama before the advent of new year is being seen as a good sign for BJP which has though returned to power for seventh consecutive time in the state yet with a thin majority.

DeshGujarat

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