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As Narendra Modi prepares to take up the role of prime minister, his home state, Gujarat, is readying itself for the road ahead. It is expected Gujarat sans Modi will tread the road charted by him, as the next chief minister is likely to work under his guidance.
A Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leader close to Modi said, "He has created a vision for Gujarat, keeping in mind the requirements of the common man and of industry; this will continue to guide the government here for at least several years. The policy framework to boost growth in both industry and agriculture is already in place."
While both Modi's inner circle and political watchers do not expect major changes in Gujarat at a policy level, a senior political leader in the state, touted to be in the race for the chief minister's post, said, "The government cannot afford to be rigid; there will be policy changes whenever and wherever necessary."
Y K Alagh, economist and former Union minister for planning, programme implementation, statistics and power, says, "There are unlikely to be many policy-level changes in Gujarat. Rather, some projects and models of the state could be replicated at a national level."
The race for the chief minister's post is believed to have narrowed to two candidates - Anandiben Patel, the state's revenue minister who also handles portfolios such as urban development and disaster management; and finance minister, Nitin Patel, also in charge of the health and transport ministries.
While an announcement on the post is expected in a week, insiders say the next chief minister will be someone who is a close confidant of Modi. Political observer Hemant Shah says, "The chief minister of Gujarat will be one whom Modi can direct from Delhi. The BJP will be like the Congress under Indira Gandhi."
Anandiben Patel is the one most likely to take charge after Modi leaves for Delhi. The name of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh strongman and party organisation chief Bhikhu Dalsania is also doing the rounds.
Cabinet portfolios might be reshuffled. As of now, Modi holds eight, including those of industry and mines, ports and home. It is likely these will be re-distributed among other ministers. If needed, two to three new cabinet ministers could be inducted to share the workload.
