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Rupani is much more accessible than his predecessors and meets party workers, MLAs and bureaucrats. Even Congress workers approach him for getting things done.
As he sipped water after a long interview at his official residence in Gandhinagar, some of it spilled on his table. The bell to summon help was nearby. Yet, Vijay Rupani, the chief minister of Gujarat, chose to clean the table by himself.
Rupani is so down to earth that when he was named chief minister replacing Anandiben Patel last year, there was no excitement on his face. After all, he had not thought of becoming even an MLA, and everyone was expecting that senior minister Nitin Patel would be the chosen one. Rupani, however, was chosen as chief minister and Nitin Patel was made his deputy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are planning a whirlwind campaign as Gujarat goes to the polls, yet the focus is also on Rupani as he takes on a rejuvenated Congress, which is eyeing a comeback. A few months ago, Rupani surprised everyone by opting to stay in the flood-affected districts of north Gujarat for five days. The Congress called it a political stunt, but Gujarat, for the first time, saw a chief minister who was prepared to wade into knee-deep slush.
Rupani hails from a Jain Baniya family which migrated to Rajkot from Burma. Compassion runs in his blood. “After the death of their son Pujit, Rupaniji and his wife, Anjaliben, set up the Shri Pujit Rupani Memorial Trust. It imparts education to ragpicker children,” said Rajkot-based journalist Paresh Dave. “And, they don’t publicise their efforts.” While in Rajkot, the Rupanis often take ragpicker children to amusement parks and personally serve them food.
Rupani and Anjali have another son, Rushabh, and a daughter, Radhika, who is married. Anjali is quite active in the party. Rupani said she would campaign in the elections.
A postgraduate in law, Rupani has been associated with the RSS since childhood. He has held important posts in the BJP, and was its state general secretary and president.
Rupani has a stockbroking firm in Rajkot. Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed a fine of Rs 15 lakh on his Hindu Undivided Family and 21 others for manipulative trading of shares. The penalty has, however, been set aside by an appellate tribunal. Rupani said the allegations were baseless.
As chief minister, Rupani successfully handled several mass agitations in Gujarat. He is much more accessible than his predecessors and meets party workers, MLAs and bureaucrats. While in Rajkot, even Congress workers approach him for getting things done and Rupani obliges them although they are in his rival camp. Kirit Pathak, deputy registrar of Saurashtra University, said Rupani was not vindictive and even if he did not get along well with someone, he would act keeping his party’s interests in mind.
Gandhinagar-based journalist Manish Vyas praised Rupani’s humble and easygoing nature. “He is the first low-profile and easily accessible chief minister after Shankersinh Vaghela,” said Vyas. He was all praise for Rupani’s slogan ‘Vyatha nahi, vyastha karo (Do not cry, bring about solutions).’
And, that is what Rupani has been doing. He seems to have figured out answers to the problems posed by youth leaders Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mevani. Said Rupani, “These three won’t be seen after the results come.”
