Two people in the fray to be next Gujarat CM: Tough call for Modi-Shah

Kaun banega mukhyamantri? is currently the favourite game in Gujarat. With incumbent chief minister Anandiben Patel offering her resignation on Facebook, the race for the state's top post has begun. Though there are various contenders in the reckoning, only two are being considered as serious candidates.

Vijay Rupani: The 60-year-old state BJP president is the top contender for the CM's chair. One thing which goes strongly in his favour is that not only is he strong in the party, he is also considered an effective administrator.

His genial demeanour and conciliatory approach have made him a likeable personality both in the government and the party.

When Anandiben Patel became the CM, there were several inter-party feuds which often landed at Delhi's doorstep. To rid itself of the catfights, the BJP made Rupani the state president. A law graduate, Rupani is also transport minister in Anandiben's cabinet. The dual role gives him unparalled access to both the party and administration.

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Given the kind of volatile situation prevailing in Gujarat, amid agitations by both Patidars and Dalits, a major chunk of the party considers him best suited for the job. One other thing which works in his favour is that he not only enjoys the confidence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but is also considered very close to BJP president Amit Shah.

The only negative is that if the BJP, already facing a Patidar backlash, makes a non-Patel the chief minister, it may backfire.

Nitin Patel: His is the second name doing the rounds for the CM's post. Apart from being a Patel, he is also a long-serving cabinet minister and considered close to the PM. When Modi had left for Delhi, Patel had expressed his desire to become the CM of Gujarat but lost out to Anandiben.

One thing that can go strongly against him is the fact that he is not very popular in his community, especially among the youth, who had effectively marginalised him. Given this scenario, will the party run the risk of having a CM whose own community is dead against him? It will require a lot of manoeuvring on the part of both Patel as well as the BJP to offset a crisis.

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Though there are a few more names doing the rounds, especially one of Saurabh Patel, they are mostly plugged in with their own supporters rather than the caste arithmetic which the BJP is facing on the ground.

The challenge which the party faces in Gujarat comes mostly from within itself. With the AAP joining the battle, the pitch has become a bit queer for the saffron party - which was the undisputed King of Gujarat till a while ago.