Can Modi Save His Home State?

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel’s exit highlights the crisis within the BJP in Gujarat after the Patel and Dalit agitations alienate the votebanks.

- Uday Mahurkar

On a Monday afternoon on May 16 this year, as the mercury touched 44 degrees in New Delhi, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The venue was the PM’s official 7, Race Course Road residence. Anandiben Patel, 74, had fought a battle for survival ever since the violent Patel agitation for reservation rocked Gujarat last July. The clamour for her exit mounted within the party after her mishandling of the situation. BJP president Amit Shah, one of her most bitter critics within the party, stepped up demands for her replacement. His concerns had risen after a fact-finding mission to the state in April had found the party’s electoral support base diminishing rapidly. The study also put a question mark on the CM’s leadership. It was, therefore, not a matter of if but when Anandiben would go.

Her half-hour-long meeting with the PM ended with her requesting a graceful exit from office. Anandiben offered to quit on her 75th birthday, on November 21. It was a wish Modi granted. Anandiben, like Amit Shah, was one of his most trusted aides within the party.

Come July, and Una exploded. A video of Shiv Sainiks stripping and flogging Dalits for alleged cow slaughter went viral, triggering statewide protests by the community. As opposition leaders poured into Una and Dalit protests refused to die, Modi took a call on July 28. He was withdrawing the lifeline he had extended to Anandiben.

The PM had to be seen taking action after the Dalit agitation, a messenger personally informed Anandiben. He would very much appreciate it if she could step down. It was a request the CM could not refuse.

ANANDIBEN’S 5 BIG MISTAKES

ERRORS IN JUDGEMENT