Gujarat politics is as much a game of patience as it is of power. Every decision, resignation, and appointment illustrates its complex chessboard.
The journey of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel signifies this aptly, starting with her brief tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, her battle to pick her successor, and now her forthright views about alcohol prohibition, or rather a firm need to enforce it.
Even as the Gujarat government moves ahead with its plan to ease prohibition in select locations, Anandiben Patel has voiced her opposition to any dilution of Gujarat’s liquor prohibition policy, linking the ban to women’s safety. She also remarked that in Uttar Pradesh there are still areas where women do not feel free to step out.
“In our Gujarat, women can play garba till four in the night and it is because of the darubandi (liquor prohibition). Whereas, in Uttar Pradesh, at some places, such is the situation that women cannot move out even today. We should think a lot before doing everything. What consequences will it bring. Look where families of those who remained ACS (additional chief secretaries) and CS (chief secretaries) here have settled (after retirement). Did they go back (to their home states) or settled in Gujarat? Why did they settle in Gujarat? (They want) peace for (their) daughters, for women. And that peace cannot be allowed to be breached,” she was quoted as saying.
For context, Gujarat has enforced prohibition since 1948, yet the ground reality remains very different. Alcohol continues to be available across social and economic groups, sustained by an underground network. The illicit trade reportedly thrives with the involvement of local police who allegedly take their share. At times, the bootlegged liquor is mixed with methanol, a toxic substance that can be fatal even in small quantities, leading to recurring hooch tragedies in the state.
Anandiben Patel made her remarks at the launch of the Gujarati edition of her biography, Chunautiyan Mujhe Pasand Hai (I Like Challenges), an event that was attended earlier by Union Home and Co-operation Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel before they left for another engagement.
Recently, Vibes of India reported that Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani strongly criticised the state machinery after liquor and drugs were allegedly found near a school in Tharad. He warned that police officers risked losing their jobs.
He also believed that Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi was protecting the police despite the state’s total prohibition.
In comments to a media outlet, Mevani claimed the illegal liquor economy in Gujarat exceeds Rs 1,500 crore. “Right from the local leaders to the constable to those sitting in power in Gandhinagar, everyone has some kind of association and is benefiting from the illegal trade of alcohol in the state. However, whenever tragedies related to its consumption happen, it is always the poor who will fall victim to the poison,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Anandiben Patel spoke glowingly about Union Home Minister Amit Shah, praising him as “Chanakya”. Recalling their years together in the Gujarat Cabinet, she highlighted Shah’s influence and political acumen, saying he decides “whom to promote and (whom not to)…”
“He (Shah) would tell even Narendrabhai…this is what should be done. Because we used to sit together in the cabinet. These things suit him, not me. I have the soul of a teacher…I cannot indulge in anything else but teaching. All that is for him (Shah),” she reportedly said.
It may be worth flipping back through the pages of the past for a glimpse of her rather eventful career.
Anandiben Patel became Chief Minister in 2014 in Gujarat after Narendra Modi left for Delhi as Prime Minister.
She served a bit over two years, with the Patidar agitation and Dalit unrest unfolding around her. The Patidar agitation was a demand for reservation in government jobs and education for the community.
The pressure kept rising. She announced her resignation on social media. She mentioned she was close to the age of 75, the retirement threshold PM Modi had articulated for BJP leaders in office.
Political observers often highlighted her uneasy working relationship with Amit Shah.
After her resignation the fight for the top post began. Anandiben Patel wanted Nitin Patel to take charge. However, Nitin Patel missed out in the political game of thrones. Vijay Rupani was chosen instead, revealing where the power in the party rested.
The changing political order in Gujarat was never so loud and apparent.
Also Read: Gujarat’s Liquor Ban Vs. Reality: Widening Gap Amid Ongoing Verbal Clashes https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarats-liquor-ban-vs-reality-widening-gap-amid-ongoing-verbal-clashes/
