Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel says fighting for self-respect, won't quit BJP

Miffed over the allocation of ministries, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel on Saturday said he is not considering Hardik Patel’s offer as he is not eager for power and fighting for self-respect.

Hardik Patel has urged the Gujarat Deputy CM to quit BJP along with 10 other MLAs and join the Congress for a “deserving” position.

Speaking to News Nation, Nitin Patel said, “Reports of quitting party with 10 MLAs are completely false, party leadership is quite serious for my demands.”

The Deputy CM said, “There is no question of my resignation. It is a fight for my self-respect and not for the power. My first demand was that let Vijay bhai be the CM but party should ensure my self-respect remains intact.”

However, Patel kept his options open and said, “I am at my home and everyone can come to meet me. Even Hardik can come.”

Hardik Patel had said a “veteran politician” like Nitin Patel, was being “sidelined” and “not being given respect” by the BJP “despite working hard for 27 years”.

“I would request Nitinbhai to join us and together we will fight against the arrogant people (of BJP). We are trying to ensure that Gujarat witnesses good governance,” Hardik added.

Read More | Hardik Patel urges miffed Gujarat Dy CM Nitin Patel to join Congress with 10 MLAs

Nitin Patel is said to be angry with the allotment of portfolios in the newly sworn in Guajrat cabinet. In the previous government, Nitin Patel used to handle key portfolios like finance and urban development.

However, this time, he has been given the charge of departments like road and building, and health. He has also been allotted medical education, Narmada, Kalpsar and capital project.

A source in the BJP said Nitin Patel had conveyed his displeasure to the BJP president Amit Shah over the departments allotted to him.

With 99 MLAs, the BJP has a simple majority in the 182-member Assembly, 16 less than its 2012 tally of 115.

The opposition Congress, which had won 61 seats in 2012, managed to increase its tally to 77. The strength of the Congress and its allies in the new House is 80.

(With PTI Inputs)