Having turned 61 on August 2, Vijay Rupani, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s state party president in Gujarat, perhaps got the best birthday gift ever. A Jain Baniya from Rajkot, Rupani has successfully maintained a clean, controversy-free image, which could have led to his party handing him the state's mantle.
Rupani, who started his career as a student activist, was declared as the new president of BJP's Gujarat unit in February. His appointment, insiders say, was delayed by almost a month owing to differences between Anandiben Patel and BJP national party president Amit Shah.
He replaced the Leuva Patidar leader R C Faldu, and his appointment at that time when the party was facing serious challenges from the community was seen as a mark of confidence BJP top brass had on this leader from the Baniya community. As a Jain Baniya, Rupani does not belong to one of the majority communities in the state. While Jains are just one percent of Gujarat's population while Baniyas comprise 3%. BJP chose to go with a non-OBC and non-Patel leader at the helm to avoid a tricky political situation, sources felt.
Many see Rupani as a Amit Shah confidante. Hence, his appointment hints at the latter's increased indirect control of the state unit where rumours of factionalism are rife.
A cabinet minister with portfolios like transport and labour & employment, on becoming the Gujarat party president Rupani's tasks were cut out. He is required to consolidate the party cadre amidst such challenges as Patidar reservation agitation. Also, given the party's poor performance in rural areas during the recent local body polls, Rupani's role is deemed to be crucial in maintaining and improving on the party's prospects in the upcoming assembly elections in December 2017.
In the past, Rupani has also held office of party general secretary and was an active member of students wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
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Born to Ramniklal Rupani in 1956, Vijay Rupani holds a Bachelor of Arts and LLB degree.
He started his career as a student activist, and eventually joined RSS and thereafter Jan Sangh in 1971. He is, in fact, the only minister in the present state cabinet who has been jailed during the Emergency.
Rupani is known to have Narendra Modi's support and in August 2014, when Vajubhai Vala, the incumbent speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly, resigned as the MLA from Rajkot West, Rupani was nominated by the BJP to contest his vacant seat. He won the bypoll in October 2014 by a handsome margin.
He is married and has a daughter and a son.