Not upset with BJP naming Bhupendra Patel as next Gujarat CM: Nitin Patel

Veteran BJP leader Nitin Patel, who was one of the favourites to succeed former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, said on Monday that he was not upset about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) naming Bhupendra Patel for the role. He also said that he has worked for the party since the age of 18 and will continue to do so, reported ANI.

“I’m not upset on the party naming Bhupendra Patel as CM. I’ve been working in BJP since I was 18 and will keep on working whether I get a position in the party or not, I will continue serving in the party,” Nitin Patel told ANI.

Patel is currently the serving deputy chief minister of Gujarat, however, there is still suspense over whether Patel would continue to remain as the deputy CM in the next government led by Bhupendra Patel or not.

Also Read: How naming Bhupendra Patel as Gujarat CM helps BJP in 2022 Assembly polls

It has also been reported that Nitin Patel met the CM-designate Bhupendra Patel early on Monday ahead of the swearing-in ceremony to discuss the future course of action.

On Sunday, Deputy CM Nitin Patel, who according to media reports was said to be upset over Bhupendra Patel’s selection over him, said he has seen many ups and downs, and nobody can “throw him out” as he lives in people’s hearts. He made the statements hours after Bhupendra Patel’s name opted for the new CM post.

There was speculation that Nitin Patel was unhappy after Bhupendra Patel election as the next chief minister in a meeting of BJP MLAs at the party headquarters ‘Kamalam’ in Gandhinagar on Sunday.

Bhupendra Patel, another veteran BJP leader’s election comes a day after ex-CM Vijay Rupani tendered an abrupt resignation from the post. Before that, Nitin Patel, who represents the Mehsana Assembly constituency, was being seen as one of the top contenders for the post.