In Saurabh's exclusion from cabinet, BJP chose politics over administration

Soon after the swearing-in ceremony of the new council of ministers on Sunday, a visibly shocked former finance minister Saurabh Patel went up to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah and had a quick chat, according to sources.

The efficient finance minister in the Anandiben Patel regime, Saurabh's exclusion from the cabinet under new Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani came as a shock to many.  

Given his track record as the finance minister, Saurabh Patel was at least one minister whose name was assumed to be included in the new cabinet as well.  Known for his business and administrative acumen, Patel has been instrumental in improving Gujarat's financial standing over the years as well as spearheading the manufacturing states' demand for additional one per cent tax under GST.

Yet, it is this administrative acumen that seems to have led to his exclusion.  Within the secretariat too, Saurabh Patel is known more as a businessman than a politician.  What he lacks in political prowess, is made up by his ingenuity in governance in his portfolios.  Whether energy or finance, Saurabh Patel has been instrumental in the Gujarat government taking calculated steps.  

For instance, as the energy minister Patel led the state government inking a pact with NTPC to swap one million tonne of coal to save transportation costs, a move that was later endorsed by the central government.

Moreover, as the chairman of the state-owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC), Patel had not only been leading talks for a stake sale in its DeenDayal West (DDW) block in KG basin to ONGC but also exploration work, despite opposition's attacks on the group's rising debts. 

However, ahead of the next year's must-win state assembly election, Patel's party is in need of seasoned politicians in its ministers, who are strong on the ground.  Saurabh Patel, however, chose to contest from a 'safer' Akota constituency in Vadodara in the 2012 assembly elections instead Botad, his erstwhile home ground. 

"It is a must-win election for the party. Hence, ministers will have to be seasoned politicians who can ensure strong win in their constituencies," said an insider.

Speculations are therefore on over his future role in the party.  Many say it could be something to do with GST where his administrative skills could be put to use.  Commenting on his exclusion, Saurabh Patel told Business Standard, "I am a party worker and wherever the party wants me to work, I will be willing to work there."

One of the conspiracy theories doing rounds in the political circles is also the possibility of factions within the cabinet if Saurabh Patel, who is mostly considered a peer to the new deputy CM Nitin Patel, something which the BJP would have wanted to avoid at any cost ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, even as an official announcement is yet to be made, in all likelihood, Saurabh Patel may see a deputation to the Centre, according to sources.