The newly crowned Vijay Rupani-led BJP government in Gujarat is off to a turbulent start of the new year 2018. On one hand, senior party leader and Patidar heavyweight Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel has openly expressed his displeasure over the portfolio allocation to him, a Patidar outfit has called for a shut-down of Mehsana town- Mehsana-Bandh in support of Patel.

Patel, 61, is MLA from Mehsana and among the senior-most BJP leaders in the government. Patel enjoys significant support from the elected MLAs.

On Saturday, heavy rush was seen outside Patel's residence in Ahmedabad. Besides his supporters, some of the elected MLAs and RSS leaders who visited him during the day, Patidar quota supporter and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) leader Lalji Patel also visited him at his residence. After meeting Patel, Lalji Patel also called for Mehsana bandh on January 1 in protest of 'injustice' to Patel. SPG was supporting the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) for seeking reservation for Patidar community.

"The BJP has not considered his stature and contribution to the party. He should be given suitable profile. If the Party doesn't understand this reality, then they should be prepared to face the public wrath in the next two days," said Lalji Patel after meeting the deputy chief minister.

Support

Hardik, on the other hand, reportedly texted Patel extending his support and suggesting him to quit the BJP and join Congress in stead.

Congress leader Virji Thumar also 'invited' the sulking BJP leader to join the Congress and 'award' him with suitable post.

As per the local media reports, Nitin Patel has denied any reports of quitting from the party or contemplating a rebellion with his supporter MLAs.

"More than the portfolios it is the self-respect that is important. And I have expressed my feelings to the Party," Patel told television news channels at his residence. Patel is reported to have put the BJP high-command on a 3-day ultimatum to resolve his demands.

After the much-awaited portfolio allocations that happened late on Thursday, Patel was stripped off high profile portfolios such as petroleum, finance and urban development, which he held in the outgoing government and was offered some of the 'low-profile' roads and building, health and family welfare, medical education, Narmada, Kalpasar and State Capital projects.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani avoided speaking about the issue while facing media at an opening of a flower show in Ahmedabad earlier in the day.

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