Keshubhai Patel
Keshubhai ana.l Patel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Former Chief Minister of Gujarat | |
| Preceded by | Chhabildas Mehta |
| Succeeded by | Sureshchandra R. Mehta |
| Constituency | Maninagar |
| Former Chief Minister of Gujarat | |
| Preceded by | Dilipbhai Ramanbhai Parikh |
| Succeeded by | Narendra Modi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 July 1928 |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party (1980–2012) Gujarat Parivartan Party (2012 – present) |
| Children | Bharat Patel |
Keshubhai Patel (born 24 July 1928) is an Indian politician and has served as Chief Minister of the Western State of Gujarat in India from March to October 1995 and from March 1998 to October 2001. He subsequently left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form his own party, Gujarat Parivartan Party in 2012. His party won 2 seats in Gujarat legislative assembly election, 2012 including his own.
Career
Patel resigned as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 2 October 2001. His failing health, along with allegations of abuse of power, corruption and poor administration, as well as a loss of BJP seats in by-elections and the effects of the devastating Bhuj Earthquake of 2001, which his administration struggled to handle, prompted the BJP's national leadership to seek a new candidate for the office of chief minister. He was replaced by Narendra Modi.[1][2][3]
Patel then became unhappy and called for revolt.[citation needed] In the 2007 State Elections, he urged his community to vote for change. He blessed the Congress Party and did not even cast his vote. But the result was a complete shock as Modi won a convincing victory with the party faring better in Patel's bastion of Saurashtra, indicating his loss of support even among his own people.[citation needed] The BJP accused him of anti-party activities.[citation needed]
He resigned from the BJP on 4 August 2012 and launched the Gujarat Parivartan Party to contest in 2012 Gujarat Vidhan Sabha elections.[4] He had not renewed his BJP membership[5] He won Visawadar seat by about 1300 votes against his nearest Bharatiya Janata Party rival Kanubhai Bhalala.
On 21 September 2006 Keshubhai's wife, Leela Behn Patel, died in their home in Ahmedabad after an electrical fire broke out in the house's exercise room.[citation needed]
Keshubhai Patel has also been a Rajya Sabha MP.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Aditi Phadnis (2009). Business Standard Political Profiles of Cabals and Kings. Business Standard Books. pp. 116–21. ISBN 978-81-905735-4-2. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ Bunsha, Dionne (13 October 2001). "A new oarsman". Frontline. Ahmedabad. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ Venkatesan, V. (13 October 2001). "A pracharak as Chief Minister". Frontline. New Delhi. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ "Modi-baiter Keshubhai Patel quits BJP". 4 August 2012.
- ^ "Keshubhai splits BJP, to launch anti-Modi front". 30 June 2012.