Gujarat deputy CM ‘miffed’ over allocation of portfolios

AHMEDABAD: The crisis faced by Gujarat’s newly formed BJP government over allocation of portfolios might be far from over as the state’s deputy chief minister chief minister Nitin Patel is reportedly upset over not being allotted ‘heavyweight portfolios’.

Nitin, who was sworn-in as the deputy CM on December 26, has not taken charge of the office so far. He has been allotted departments like roads and buildings, Narmada, health & medical education and capital project in the Vijay Rupani government.

According to an official close to the development, Nitin is upset because departments like urban development, petrochemicals and finance that were handled by him in the previous government have been taken away from him this time.

“It is an internal matter. The BJP high command is looking very closely into the matter and will reach an amicable decision soon,” said a BJP official on the condition of anonymity.

Nitin had made his displeasure known to chief minister Vijay Rupani ahead of the first cabinet meet on December 28 when the portfolios were being decided, said the official quoted before.

News agency PTI quoted Nitin as saying: “I have conveyed my feelings to the party high-command and I am hopeful that they will give a proper reply... This is not about some departments, this is about self- respect.”

While the finance portfolio has been given to Botad MLA Saurabh Patel, who was left out of the previous state government, the urban development ministry has been kept by the CM himself.

While Nitin could not be contacted, the rival Congress and Patidar leaders have asked him to leave the BJP.

Sardar Patel Group convener Lalji Patel called for a bandh in Nitin’s constituency of Mehsana on January 1 to protest against the ‘injustice’ meted out to him . Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel urged Nitin to join the Congress.