Patidar strongman of Mehsana Nitin Patel made of sterner stuff

Gujarat’s Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who was fielded by BJP to counter Hardik Patel, is made of sterner stuff and his mettle was in full display at the press conference on Wednesday.

Apart from calling both Hardik and Congress “fools”, Patel spoke of how he and his party have put “so many people in their place”. The anguish and frustration of BJP in dealing with the young Patidar leader was never better expressed.

“I spoke because it was my responsibility. Party had trusted me and I took care of it,” Patel told ET.

According to his former colleagues, Nitin wouldn’t mind jumping on the tables in the Assembly during Chimanbhai Patel’s regime to register a protest.

“He could be easily incited,” said one of his ex-colleague. Once a Keshubhai loyalist, he joined hands with Narendra Modi after his defeat from Kadi in 2002 and was elected from Kadi in 2007 and from Mehsana in 2012.

With Mehsana becoming the nerve centre of the Patidar agitation, Nitin found himself in the eye of the storm and, as per sources, sought to relocate himself to a safer seat in Ahmedabad. But his request was turned down for obvious reasons.

Speaking to ET from Mehsana, he said: “Last time, my winning margin was 24,500 votes, it will only increase.”

On being asked about his political journey, Nitin said: “I have the benefit of experience and good fortune of working with a leader like Modiji. Also, party has given me a lot in terms of position and respect and I cannot shy away from my responsibilities now.”