Anandiben, Nitin Patel call shots with Modi on poll campaign

Anandiben and Nitinbhai were at helm of affairs for announcement of four low-cost housing schemes for 2.2 million houses for urban poor

Recently, a local newspaper in Ahmedabad came out with a column titled 'Modi on two day visit to Gujarat state', mocking the hectic travel plans of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, and how his visit to the state will become sort of a news item, as the BJP posterboy was on touring spree since last fortnight meeting party workers and addressing various functions across the country.

With Modi taking charge of his new role as BJP's 2014 election campaign chief, questions are being raised as to how Gujarat administration will function in chief minister's absence, who will take decisions taking into consideration the autocratic nature of Modi.

Well, Modi has ensured that Gujarat administration will work like a well-oiled machine without glitches, and for that he has entrusted two of his most trusted cabinet colleagues to call the shots in his absence.

Besides being Modi's close confidants, revenue minister Anandiben Patel and finance minister Nitin Patel, also share similar way of functioning and decision making. However, BJP leaders close to Modi said that the chief minister was very much in the driving seat and monitoring the administration of the state while on the move to garner support for the upcoming general elections from across the country.

Anandiben and Nitinbhai were at the helm of affairs for announcement of four low-cost housing schemes for 2.2 million houses for urban poor, which got cabinet nod on Wednesday. The low-cost urban housing was also a part of BJP's election manifesto during the state election in 2012.  While Anandiben briefed the television media, Nitinbhai along with government spokesperson Saurabh Patel issued a press statement detailing the schemes.

Interestingly, Anandiben has been quite active on the social media and has been updating her Twitter account regularly since past couple of months. Sources in the BJP further said that she has hired consultant for social media networking in order to change her image as mass leader.

Anandiben (71), though, not seen as a mass leader, her popularity within the party and clout among the bureaucrats is much talked about. Being a former school principal she has a strong presence in Ahmedabad and has backing of the powerful Patel community in the state.

Nitinbhai has been entrusted with the responsibility of finance minister which till last assembly elections was held by veteran politician Vajubhai Vala, who is now the speaker of the state assembly. For the Gujarat government Nitinbahi brings along with him experience, community leadership and vast experience in politics and administration.

He was health and family welfare minister in the first BJP government in Gujarat in 1995 and during the Keshubhai Patel regime. He has been member of the state assembly since 1990 except for one term between 2002 and 2007 when he lost the elections.

"The two ministers have been calling the shots in absence of the chief minister. But everything is under watch of Modiji," said a BJP insider. No decision is taken without the knowledge of the chief minister, he added.

After becoming the BJP poll campaign chief Modi has been on a roll. In the last fortnight he has been to Delhi two times, addressed public hearing of BJP workers in Pune, talked to students at Fergusson college, Pune, a day long visit to Orissa and meeting party workers there. Modi is also scheduled to visit Hyderabad next month for deciding on BJP poll strategy with party workers.