Articles by "Anandiben Patel"
Bhopal, Jan 23: Former Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel was
on Tuesday sworn in as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Hemant Gupta
administered the oath of office to Ms Patel at 1000 hrs at Raj Bhawan here.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Chief Minister Shivraj
Singh Chouhan, Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya, Urban Development and Housing
Minister Maya Singh, many members of the state cabinet, the leaders of the
judiciary, and senior officials of the state and police were present on the
occasion.
Till now, Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli held additional
charge as the Madhya Pradesh Governor as well.
Ms Patel, 76, travelled over 400 km along with her family in
a special bus from Ahmedabad to Bhopal and reached here on Monday night. UNI
New
Delhi/Ahmedabad, Nov 21: The latent Amit Shah-Anandiben Patel tussle in
the BJP is getting reflected in the saffron outfit's ticket distribution row
and party insiders say these can in the ultimate analysis harm party's
prospects in the electoral battle in poll-bound Gujarat. So far, the balance of power seems to be in favour of BJP
national president Amit Shah for obvious reasons as Anandiben Patel's
confidants and trusted aides have been already denied tickets. Former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's cousin and minister
Vasuben Trivedi and a former minister I K Jadeja are among those dropped by the
BJP leadership. Mr Jadeja's sidelining came as a major surprise as around 2002
to 2007 - Mr Jadeja was also known for his close affinity to the then Chief
Minister Narendra Modi. He also had performed as state cabinet spokesman for
sometime. But this time round, his plea for ticket from Wadhan was denied and instead, the saffron party fielded
Dhanjibhai Patel (Makson), a businessman and
a greenhorn in politics. Mr Jadeja has been a two-time MLA from Dhrangadhra in 2002
and prior to that. Similarly, the 67-year-old former Education, Women and Child
Welfare Minister Vasuben Trivedi has been also denied ticket. Interestingly, weighing various options, state Ministers
Vallabh Vagahsia, Nanu Vanani and Jayanti Kavadiya representing Savarkundla,
Katargam and Dhangadhra have been dropped after influential Patidar community’s
agitation hit these localities more. The BJP Central Election Committee also dropped as many as 15
sitting legislators and did not consider them for tickets. According to party sources, Shah-Anandiben Patel rivalry goes
back to pre-2012 politics when Mr Modi himself was at the helm of affairs in
Gujarat. But once Anandiben Patel had to bow out of office following Patidar
stir, it was hoped that things would normalise. "But, the cold war continues and it is reflected in
ticket distribution...Now these should not go down at the booth level
rivalry," a source said.
BJP insiders also say that though announced her unwillingness
to contest, Anandiben Patel sent a "long list of at least 40 names"
to Prime Minister Modi for consideration of tickets. The list was agreed up on
more of less but there were irritants for at least half-a-dozen seats. A section of BJP also toyed with the idea of getting a ticket
for Anandiben's daughter Anar -- which however was denied by Anandiben Patel
herself.
Amit Shah camp made it clear that the party should not take
chance by fielding Ms Anar as BJP is making 'dynasty' a political issue with regard Rahul Gandhi and also that Ms Anar's name
had figured in some land-related controversies. What is worrisome for party is that a series of 'protest'
meetings and slogan shouting - if not open defiance - has been going on in
various parts of the state after ticket distribution.
Disgruntled I K Jadeja's supporters stormed the party
headquarters in Gandhinagar on Saturday. One senior leader has threatened to quit if his son is not
given ticket.
The party has so far named candidates for 134 nominees for
the 182-member state assembly for the party polls on December 9 and December 14. Intense lobbying for tickets have started for Vejalpur
constituency in Ahmedabad where among others former minister Jaynarayan Vyas,
former mayor Minakshi Patel, Amit Shah's confidant Hitesh Barot and sitting MLA
Kishor Chauhan are vying for the ticket. The constituency has large chunk of
Muslim voters in Juhapura and also covers popular localities like Satellite,
Vas-trapur, Bodakdev, Prahladnagar and Vejalpur areas. UNI
New Delhi, Nov 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended birthday greetings to former
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.
"Birthday greetings to former Gujarat CM
@anandibenpatel. Anandiben is among the tallest political leaders in Gujarat.
Through her hardwork, she has strengthened the BJP and is admired for her
administrative skills. I pray for her long and healthy life," Mr Modi tweeted. Born on November 21, 1941, the veteran BJP leader turns 76 on
Tuesday. Interestingly, Prime Minister's greetings for Anandiben Patel
came at a time when the senior leader is reportedly sulking as her close aides
IK Jadeja and Vasuben Trivedi have been denied tickets for the ensuing Gujarat
polls. Apparently, there is a latent tussle and oneupmanship between
her and party chief Amit Shah. However, for his part, the BJP's national
president also extended his warm wishes to Ms Patel on her birthday. "I extend my warm wishes to former Gujarat CM Smt
@anandibenpatel on her birthday. She has served the people of Gujarat with
immense passion and dedication. May God bless her with a long and healthy
life," Mr Shah wrote in the micro blogging site. UNI
