‘Bhupendra Patel will bring BJP back to power’, say party leaders; ‘remote-controlled’, alleges Congress

The decision was taken in a party meeting at the BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar, attended by the likes of Union ministers Mansukh Mandaviya, Pralhad Joshi and Narendra Singh Tomar, as well as deputy CM Nitin Patel.

“There has been a unanimous election, a very good decision,” Joshi remarked upon Patel’s appointment as the BJP legislature party leader.

It's like Diwali today. This was never expected, a complete surprise for our family, even we saw it on news: Gujarat CM-elect Bhupendra Patel's daughter-in-law Devanshi Patel on her father-in-law being chosen as state CM. pic.twitter.com/XHFYPDBxyN

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2021

‘Gujarat to develop under PM Modi, Patel’s leadership’, says BJP

Congratulating Patel, several Union ministers stated that under the guidance of PM Modi, the Patidar leader will shape Gujarat’s development.

Shah tweeted in Hindi, “I believe that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your leadership, the state’s development journey will get new energy and momentum, and Gujarat will continue to be a leader in good governance and public welfare.”

श्री @Bhupendrapbjp जी को @BJP4Gujarat विधायक दल का नेता चुने जाने पर हार्दिक बधाई व शुभकामनाएं।

मुझे विश्वास है कि @narendramodi जी के मार्गदर्शन व आपके नेतृत्व में प्रदेश की अनवरत विकास यात्रा को नई ऊर्जा व गति मिलेगी और गुजरात सुशासन व जनकल्याण में निरंतर अग्रणी बना रहेगा।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 12, 2021

Similarly, Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Bhupendra Yadav, too, extended their wishes to Patel.

भारतीय जनता पार्टी के नेता श्री @Bhupendrapbjp जी को गुजरात के नए मुख्यमंत्री चुने जाने पर शुभकामनाएं। प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के मार्गदर्शन और श्री भूपेंद्र पटेल जी के नेतृत्व में गुजरात के विकास की गति में और तेजी आएगी।

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 12, 2021

I congratulate Shri @Bhupendrapbjp ji for being chosen to lead Gujarat. I am sure Bhupendra Patel ji will be able to give shape to PM Shri @NarendraModi ji’s vision of continued development and growth for Gujarat.

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) September 12, 2021

Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy expressed confidence that BJP will come back to power in the Assembly elections set to be held next year. “It is very good that Bhupendra Patel has been chosen to be the new Gujarat CM. Now BJP coming back to power in Gujarat is certain,” he tweeted.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal and Nandigram MLA, Suvendu Adhikari and BJP’s national general secretary BL Santosh too congratulated Patel. “Hope that Gujarat keeps progressing as one the most developed State of India, under your able leadership,” Adhikari said.

Many congratulations to Shri Bhupendra Patel ji for being elected at the legislative party meeting to be the next Chief Minister of Gujarat. Wish you all the best & hope that Gujarat keeps progressing as one the most developed State of India, under your able leadership. https://t.co/5CnIsU6b1z

— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) September 12, 2021

‘Given remote control to Anandiben’, says Congress

Stating that Patel was chosen to woo the Patidar community ahead of the 2022 elections, Dhanani said, “The BJP has made Gujarat hollow from within through years of misrule. Now they are dependent on communalism and casteism to sustain their political power.”

“If there was even 1 per cent chance that the BJP government in Gujarat could have been saved, Amit Shah would have never given up his chance. They know that they are going to lose and that’s why the remote has been given to Anandiben,” he added.

An MLA from Ghatlodiya assembly, Patel belongs to the Kadva sub-caste of Patidar community. The seat he holds was represented by Anandiben Patel before she was appointed Governor.