New Delhi, Dec 19: While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is still undecided over finalising the Gujarat chief, the underground satta bazaar (betting market) is betting big on incumbent CM Vijay Rupani and Nitin Patel. Taking into account the bets placed in the satta market, BJP president Amit Shah is also in the running for the top post apart from Vijay Rupan and Nitin Patel.
Bookies are also betting on a new face to be replace Rupani as Gujarat CM. While Rupani’s betting rate is fixed as Rs 1.60, Nitin Patel is receiving bets at Rs 1.60 and Amit Shah Rs 3. The biggest bet – Rs 5 – is on a new face. As per the trend of the betting market, the person getting the lowest bid – Vijay Rupani in this case – has the biggest probability of winning.
According to sources, the betting market faced huge losses during session betting on Monday, December 18 – when the results for Gujarat Assembly elections were announced. With the Congress performing better than expected, punters made some big money during the initial phase of counting. However, as the day progressed and the picture became clearer that the BJP was going to form the government for a record sixth time, the profits earned by the bookies evaporated. (Also Read: After Victory, Another Challenge For BJP in Gujarat – Naming The CM
The punters have also included BJP ‘master strategist’ Amit Shah’s name in the list purely to spice up things as party insiders say that there are little chances of him taking up the charge of Gujarat CM. In the past, the BJP has surprised with its CM picks. After Anandiben Patel stepped down from the CM post in August last year, it was believed that Nitin Patel would get the charge, however, the party picked Vijay Rupani. Earlier this year, Yogi Adityanath was the surprise choice as Uttar Pradesh CM. Similarly, the party named less discussed names as CM in Haryana – Manohal Lal Khattar, and Maharashtra – Devendra Fadnavis. (Also Read: Gujarat: On These 26 Seats The Victory Margin Was Less Than 3000 Votes)
Will Vijay Rupani Continue to be CM?
During election campaigning, party chief Amit Shah had repeatedly said that Vijay Rupani was the BJP’s face for the polls in the state. Rupani secured a comprehensive win for himself from Rajkot West seat by a handsome margin of 25,000 votes, but if party insiders are to be believed there are quite a few names which are believed to be frontrunners to replace him on the top post.
Rupani, who was a surprise pick after Anandiben Patel stepped down as Gujarat CM in August, may have to face the brunt of the BJP’s performance in Gujarat where it won far less number of seats the party was aiming for. The BJP won 99 seats. On the other hand, the Congress improved its 2012 figure drastically by winning 80 seats, others won three seats in the 182-seat Gujarat Assembly.
Frontrunners
Though Rupani is said to be leading the race for the next Gujarat CM, names of veteran leader RC Faldu, Union Ministers Smriti Irani, Manusukh Mandviya and party chief Amit Shah is also doing the rounds. (Also Read: Gujarat Results Have Put a Question Mark on Narendra Modi’s Credibility: Rahul Gandhi)
Considered to PM Narendra Modi’s ‘blue-eyed boy’Union minister of state for road transport & highways and shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya has emerged as the second most favoured candidate in the CM race. The BJP may favour Mandaviya, a Patidar leader, as a move to pacify the community which is demanding reservation in jobs and education.
Information and Broadcasting and Textiles Minister Smriti Irani is also said to be in the race for Gujarat CM. Irani, who was elected to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat in August this year, was one of the party’s star campaigners in the state. The daily soap actor-turned-politician has, however, ruled out the possibility for moving her base from New Delhi to Gandhinagar. “I am definitely not a contender,” she said.
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