A few minutes before 5 PM on Monday, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel put out a post on her Facebook wall, stating that she will soon be turning 75 and has asked the BJP leadership to appoint her successor who would have enough time to galvanise the cadre before the elections that happen towards the end of 2017.
It’s a story that even the most ardent BJP supporter will not be willing to accept. Put quite bluntly, Anandiben was asked to step down as the BJP can simply not afford to lose Gujarat in 2017 if it wants to get elected to power a second time in the Centre.
Anandiben rose quite quickly up the BJP ranks over the past 30 years. From a school teacher, she joined the women's wing of the party and has been enjoying key posts in the Gujarat government for the past close to two decades, the latest being that of the Chief Minister.
News18's Power Circuit predicted last month that Anandiben would soon have to make way for another CM before BJP gets into poll mode in the state.
For the party, the Dalit unrest is clearly more alarming as it can cause far more damage than the disgruntled Patidars.
Many in the government believe that despite such widespread protests, a major chunk of the Patidar vote bank is still with the BJP.
The big question though will be answered by Tuesday evening. Who will succeed Anandiben?
Will it be a Patidar leader like Vijay Rupani, who is also the state BJP chief and who is perceived to be capable of keeping the Patidar vote bank with the BJP?
Or will it be a leader from the SC, ST or OBC category as the Dalit agitation only seems to be hurting the BJP further?
Or will the next CM be from the organisation. Someone who has the backing of the Sangh? Or Will it be Amit Shah who will be asked to steer Gujarat through this crisis of sorts.
On a parting note Anandiben's replacement midway through her tenure proves the BJP leadership has ended up admitting that appointing her as Chief Minister in May 2014 was a wrong choice in the first place.
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