ગુજરાતી
English
Dilip Patel
Ahmedabad 10 September 2024 (Google translation from Gujarati, language error is likely)
There comes a time in the life of a politician when the sails of the political ship change according to the wind.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel is credited with pushing the life-saving Narmada Dam. He was the first Chief Minister to implement the development of Gujarat’s ports, refineries and power generation plants through the private sector as part of the Gujarat Industrialisation Master Plan.
He is remembered as a visionary leader and the builder of modern industrial Gujarat. He conceptualised the ‘Sardar Sarovar Dam (Narmada Dam) Project’ in his first term as Chief Minister and effectively built the Narmada Dam in his second term. He described the Narmada Dam as the lifeline of Gujarat.
On the occasion of the 95th birth anniversary of the pioneer of Gujarat’s development, the visionary of the Narmada Project and the small Sardar of Gujarat, late Shri Chimanbhai Patel, a memorial was built at the Narmada Ghat in Gandhinagar.
In his first term as Chief Minister, he conceived the ‘Sardar Sarovar Dam’ and in the second term, the Narmada Dam and the effective construction of the Narmada Dam began. The foundation of the Jivadori Narmada Dam of Gujarat was laid in the government of Chimanbhai Patel, the benefits of which are being received by the people of Gujarat today.
In 1991, he formed a party named Janata Dal (Gujarat). Till 1994, he made strong representations at the Centre on the development issues of Gujarat and especially on the issue of ‘Narmada Project’, he tried to get the fair case of Gujarat accepted.
An efficient politician of Gujarat, a strong administrator, an effective organizer and the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He has also written undergraduate and postgraduate textbooks on the subject of economics. He was also known as an effective speaker. His name was always associated with the implementation of Sardar Sarovar Project, the life-giving project of Gujarat.
Chimanbhai came to power by accepting the conditions of BJP. He took strict action against those opposing Narmadadam, which was appreciated by some and criticized by some. Many people give credit to Chimanbhai for realizing the Narmada project. Another name of Narmada river is Reva, which is also the name of Chimanbhai’s mother. Chimanbhai’s house in Ahmedabad is also named ‘Revarnya’.
Keeping the public interest in mind, Babubhai Patel took charge of the Narmada division and agreed to work in Chimanbhai’s cabinet. Keshubhai Patel became Deputy Chief Minister. Suresh Mehta, Vajubhai Vala, Ashok Bhatt and Bhupendrasinh Chudasama got ministerial posts.
Dr. At the organizational level, he played an important role in forcing the Jivraj Mehta government to step down in a controversial manner. Chimanbhai’s political upbringing took place largely at the organizational level. The secret of his successful political career is his grip at the organisational level, political astuteness, unflinching confidence to win over even opponents and the importance he gives to the people he comes in contact with. His fresh memory, resourcefulness, quick decision making ability and his nature of sustained action were at the core of his leadership success.
Animal – Cow Slaughter
During his second term, he was one of the first Chief Ministers in the whole of India to pass a law banning the slaughter of all kinds of animals and the sale of meat during the ten days of the important Jain festival Paryushan, Cow Slaughter. This legislative ban came into effect on 3 October 1993.
Birth
Chimanbhai was born on 3 June 1929 in a simple farmer family of Jivabhai and Revabhai in Sankheda. He died on 17 February 1994. Then came the rise of BJP and Congress never came to power till 2026. Born in Chikhodara village of Sankheda taluka of Vadodara district.
Student
He started taking interest in politics at the age of sixteen during his student life.
After receiving education at the primary school in Chikhodara, he studied at Kosindr’s T.V. School in Vadodara and secondary education at New Era High School. After 1945, he started taking active interest in student organization activities. His organization and management skills developed during this period.
Sankheda was designed by Gandhian leader and freedom fighter Dr. Jethalal Parekh. Here Chimanbhai studied leadership, organization and management. After completing his schooling well, he joined Maharaja Sayajirao University for higher education.
Maharaja Sayajirao University
He was elected as the first president of Maharaja Sayajirao University Students Union in 1950. He obtained a postgraduate degree in economics from the university.
He obtained BA in Economics and Demographics in 1951 and post-graduation in 1953 from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. His academic career was brilliant. Before post-graduation, he worked as a lecturer of economics in the Department of Economics, Maharaja Sayajirao University. During his studies he served as the minister of Gujarat Student Congress and Vice-President of Shri. S. Chimanbhai University Students Union. M. S. Chimanbhai successfully led the students’ strike over the expulsion of two students from the university.
He then became a Senate-member of Gujarat University and L.D. Professor of Economics in Arts College.
In 1959, he attended the World Youth Conference held at Aarhus Island, Denmark and delivered an impressive speech on the economy and youth of developing countries in its open session.
During his studies he served as the Minister of Gujarat Student Congress and Vice-President of the Student
Union of Shri. S. Chimanbhai University. M. S. Chimanbhai successfully led the students’ strike over the expulsion of two students of the University.
He started his political career at the state level by taking active interest in the activities of the Gujarat Youth Congress. In 1954, he joined Gujarat Vidyapeeth as a Professor of Economics and at the same time he was inducted as the Minister of Gujarat Congress.
He effectively implemented the ‘Bharat Darshan’ scheme formulated as Bharat Vikas Yatra in 1955. Then he became the Senate-Member and L.D. of Gujarat University. He was a Professor of Economics in the Arts College.
In 1959, he attended the World Youth Conference held at Aarhus Island in Denmark and delivered an impressive speech on the economy and youth of developing countries in its open session.
He was in charge of the ‘Planning & Development’ Department of Gujarat Pradesh Congress since 1955 and also took active interest in editing the ‘Congress-Patrika’.
On the controversial issue of medium of instruction in Gujarat University, he stood with the supporters of Gujarati medium and struggled to get the necessary support in the University Senate for this issue.
This encouraged many educational trusts to start higher education colleges in the rural areas of Gujarat, which were then deprived of higher education services.
In 1960, he founded the Gujarat Education Trust and established Sardar Vallabhbhai Arts College in Ahmedabad city, of which he remained Principal till 1967. He voluntarily retired from the post of Principal after being elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Sankheda constituency in 1967. He was appointed as a member of the Gujarat Government’s cabinet in charge of sports, transport and cultural activities.
In 1977, he became the Indian President of the Indian Social Welfare Council. After being re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1980, he assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition.
Vinayana obtained his graduation and post-graduation degrees from the branch and represented the Congress in student-oriented politics. During this period also he provided successful leadership to the student strike.
Due to his good academic record, he got a teaching job as a lecturer at the same place where he was studying. He continued to play various roles in the Congress. During this time Gujarat was formed from Bombay Presidency. He became the trustee and founder of an educational institution to spread education and save students from suffering.
Marriage
Meanwhile in 1948 he showed his mindset of seeking change in the social field by marrying Urmilabhan, daughter of a Vaishnav Vanik family, in an inter-caste marriage.
A Political Journey
He started his political career at the regional level by taking active interest in the activities of the Gujarat Youth Congress. In 1954, he joined Gujarat Vidyapeeth as a professor of economics and at the same time he was inducted as a minister of Gujarat Congress. He effectively implemented the ‘Bharat Darshan’ plan formulated in the form of Bharat Vikas Yatra in 1955.
He was in charge of the ‘Planning and Development’ department of Gujarat Pradesh Congress from 1955 and also took active interest in editing the ‘Congress-Patrika’.
On the controversial issue of the medium of instruction in Gujarat University, he stood with the supporters of Gujarati medium and struggled to get the necessary support in the University Senate for this issue. Similarly, it encouraged many educational trusts to start higher education colleges in the rural areas of Gujarat, which were deprived of higher education services at that time. In 1960, he founded the Gujarat Education Trust and established Sardar Vallabhbhai Arts College in Ahmedabad city, of which he remained the principal till 1967. After being elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Sankheda constituency in 1967, he took voluntary retirement from the post of Principal and took charge of sports, transport and cultural activities in the Cabinet of the Government of Gujarat.
Earlier, Dr. At the organisational level, he played a key role in forcing the Jivraj Mehta government to step down controversially. Chimanbhai’s political upbringing was largely at the organisational level. The secret of his successful political career is his grip at the organisational level, political astuteness, unflinching confidence to win over even opponents and the importance he gives to people he comes in contact with. His fresh memory, resourcefulness, ability to take quick decisions and his nature of continuous action were at the core of the success of his leadership.
In the year 1960, he established an Arts College in Ahmedabad under the aegis of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Education Trust. He was the Principal of this college when he got a Congress ticket in 1967. Chimanbhai was elected MLA from his native village Sankheda and became the Minister of Industry in the Hitendra Desai government.
Political career
In July 1973, he passed away as a result of political trends and events in Gujarat.
He became the Chief Minister of the state, but after a short time he had to leave the post of Chief Minister under the pressure of ‘Navnirman’ movement which arose in Gujarat. After this, he formed a regional party named ‘Kisan Mazdoor Lok Paksha’ (Kimalop). This party was short-lived. In 1977, he became the Indian President of the Indian Social Welfare Council. After being re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1980, he played the role of Leader of the Opposition. In March, 1990, he again became the Chief Minister of Gujarat State. It was a mixed government under his leadership, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party joined the government with his party; but after some time the Bharatiya Janata Party
Chimanbhai left the mixed government and formed a party called Janata Dal (Gujarat) in 1991.
In 1969, he was elected as a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from Sankheda Assembly Constituency and joined the cabinet of Hitendra Desai. He was also a minister in the cabinet of Ghanshayambhai Ojha.
On 17 July 1973, Ghanshyambhai overthrew the Ojha government and became the Chief Minister.
He remained in this position till 9 February 1974.
In 1974, he had to resign due to the Navnirman movement against corruption. After his expulsion from the party, he supported the formation of the Janata Morcha government led by Babubhai Jashbhai Patel. He again became the Chief Minister on 4 March 1990 in the Janata Dal (Gujarat)-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government. The coalition broke on 25 October 1990 and he managed to save his government with the support of 34 Indian National Congress MLAs. Later he joined the Indian National Congress and remained associated with it till his death on 17 February 1994.
When Indira Gandhi’s Congress and Sanstha Congress split, he decided to stay with his political guru Morarjibhai.
Chimanbhai’s stature was rising in the Congress. He was hopeful that he would be made the Chief Minister in the fourth assembly. The party won 140 out of 160 seats, so Indira Gandhi chose Ghanshyam Ojha, a minister in her cabinet, as the Chief Minister.
Chimanbhai Patel started holding meetings with his supporters and disgruntled Ojha leaders at his ‘Panchvati’ farmhouse near Ahmedabad and created an anti-Ojha atmosphere. He gathered the rebel MLAs first in Panchvati and then in Abu.
Chimanbhai allegedly either pressurized or bought MLAs to become the Chief Minister. About 70 MLAs were kept at Panchvati Farm. Due to which people started calling Panchvati Farm ‘Pranchavati Farm’.
After the victory over Pakistan, Indira Gandhi was under the scorching sun in the afternoon. No Congress leader dared to speak against her. At such a time, Chimanbhai presented his claim for the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat. Indira was challenged.
Chimanbhai met Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at the then Raj Bhavan in Bombay. The visit lasted barely twenty minutes. Suddenly the conversation got heated, Chimanbhai said, ‘The leader of the Gujarat assembly will be chosen by the MLAs, not you.’ Indira Gandhi was taken aback. She asked Swaransingh, the Gujarat in-charge, to meet her in Delhi and make a presentation.
The formula decided between the then foreign minister Swaransingh and Patel was that the MLAs would cast a secret ballot and the one who gets the most votes will become the chief minister. It was also agreed that the votes should be counted at Swaransingh’s office in New Delhi. Deputy Chief Minister Kantilal Ghiya also had a claim to the CM post. Indira preferred Ghiya to Patel who was against her.
Chimanbhai was declared the winner by seven votes, but many believe that Ghiya got more votes. But Indira Gandhi wanted to employ Chimanbhai, who was her rival in terms of size, in the future, so she made this move. She did not want to anger ‘fund manager’ Manata Patel before the crucial elections in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
Union Food Minister Fakhruddin Ali has reduced the quota of one lakh five thousand metric tons of wheat for public distribution grain to 55 thousand tons. The grain which was available for only seventy paise, started getting sold at five rupees per kg. Oil kings were also taking support price. Despite good rains, commodity prices are skyrocketing.
After the Arab-Israeli war, oil producing countries cut production. Crude oil, which was available for only three dollars, reached above 12 dollars, which was a blow to the central and state governments. The economy was still suffering the brunt of the war fought to liberate Bangladesh.
A faction of the Congress itself created such an environment to tarnish the image of Chimanbhai and fueled the student movement.
At such a time, the Navnirman movement took place. Cabinet colleagues themselves turned against Chimanbhai. He was accused of corruption. The party expelled him.
Taking inspiration from Gujarat, a complete student revolution started in Bihar. Another difficulty arose for Indira. Indira Gandhi imposed President’s rule in Gujarat to field a candidate favorable to her. She was waiting for the right time.
Chimanbhai broke away from Congress and founded Kishan Mazdoor Lokpaksh, known as ‘Kimlop’ in short. In the 1975 Gujarat Assembly election, a three-way electoral war broke out in Gujarat with Kimlop, Indira Congress and Janata Morcha.
Morarji Desai demanded dissolution of Gujarat Assembly. A hunger strike was held on 11 March 1974. D.T. On 15 March, Indira Government dissolved the Legislative Assembly.
Recommended dissolution of the assembly.
The way was paved for the formation of a new government, but instead of holding elections in six months, President’s rule was extended for six months. Due to drought in Gujarat, Morarjibhai resumed fasting in April-1975 to hold elections in the state.
Suggested that Morarji Desai should select candidates from Congress, Jan Sangh, Socialists and Bharatiya Lok Dal. Even during his tenure, Morarjibhai travelled extensively to ensure victory of Janata Morcha candidates.
Dt. Gujarat Assembly Election Results of 12 June 1975. On this day in 1971, Indira Gandhi’s Allahabad High Court
declared the election void and barred her from contesting elections for six years. Indira Gandhi suffered a double blow.
After the election results, Congress was the largest party with 75 MLAs and Janata Morcha was the largest coalition with 88 MLAs.
Chimanbhai himself lost from Jodhpur seat, but 12 MLAs of the party were elected. His party announced unconditional support to the Janata Morcha. Under the leadership of Babubhai Patel, a non-Congress government was formed in Gujarat for the first time.
However, this power equation lacked morality, because since Chimanbhai was in power, many newly elected MLAs had accused him of corruption. Programs like burning effigies of Chimanbhai and taking names were organized.
Barely a week had passed since Babubhai took power. On 25 June 1975, Indira Gandhi imposed emergency on the country and took the entire reins of power in her hands. There was donation for anti-emergency leaders in Gujarat. Finally, Indira dismissed the Janata Morcha government of Gujarat.
When the insistence of President’s rule increased, Madhav Singh Solanki became the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the situation improved. Barely three months had passed when Indira Gandhi announced the lifting of the emergency. On the ‘Gujarat model’, the Janata Morcha government was formed at the Centre, the Solanki government fell within a month. Meanwhile, independent MLAs and Chimanbhai kept changing the sails of their political boat, looking at the situation.
After the failed experiment of Janata Morcha, a new party emerged on the political scene in the form of BJP. In the first election, it won only two Lok Sabha seats, but was in power or shared power in various states.
In 1985, Chimanbhai contested from the Patidar-dominated Unjha seat on a Janata Party ticket and was elected. With the KHAM combination of Kshatriyas, tribals, Harijans (the term used for the Dalit community then) and Muslims, the Congress won a record 149 seats. The party also benefited from the sympathy wave that arose after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
There was no golden minister in Madhav Singh Solanki’s cabinet. At such a time, Chimanbhai, popular among the Patidars, started making a new equation. Rajiv Gandhi expelled his veteran minister VP Singh from the party. Who founded the Janata Morcha, which included disgruntled Congress stalwarts like Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Arif Mohammad Khan, Satyapal Malik, Arun Nehru, Vidyacharan Shukla.
When the Janata Party, Lok Dal, Babu Jagjivan Ram’s Congress, Lok Dal and various forms of Janata Morcha merged to form Janata Dal, Chimanbhai also joined it. The party contested the Gujarat elections in alliance with the BJP. BJP won 12 seats and Janata Dal won 11 seats.
Chimanbhai’s ‘Kokam’ equation, an acronym for Koli, Kanbi (Patel) and Muslim, also played a role. The Patidars, who were marginalised in the power scene for more than ten years, supported the BJP and Janata Dal. So the Muslims remained with the Janata Dal.
Then in March 1990, during the Gujarat assembly elections, a triangular war broke out between the Congress, BJP and Janata Dal. BJP got 67 seats and Janata Dal got 70 seats. 12 independent MLAs were elected.
Chimanbhai was also accused of sheltering musclemen and anti-social elements. Santokbahen’s candidature from Kutiana seat raised the eyebrows of those who advocated fairness in politics.
Considered a staunch Gandhian, Babubhai Patel was doing politics under the aegis of Lokswaraj Manch and was also in touch with VP Singh. During the assembly elections, neither the BJP nor the Janata Dal fielded any candidate against him and Babubhai was elected as an independent from the Morbi seat.
During the Machu dam disaster of 1979, Babubhai shifted the secretariat to Morbi, so that coordination between various ministries could be easier and faster.
After Chimanbhai resigned from the government, BJP ministers took oath in front of Sardar Patel’s statue in Ahmedabad.
By the end of 1989, the BJP and the Left parties were at the centre of V.P. Singh’s Janata Dal government was formed.
VP Singh announced the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations providing reservation to OBCs. The RSS felt that this would lead to division in Hindu society and raised the issue of Ram Mandir.
A section of the BJP was divided on the Ram Mandir issue, but the Vishwa Hindu Parishad took advantage of the public sentiment and believed that this was an opportunity to unite Hindus. Not only this, this is the last chance to build the temple.
The Ram Rath Yatra started from Somnath in Gujarat in September 1990 and was to end in Ayodhya on Dussehra. The Rath Yatra reached Samastipur, a state under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s government in Bihar at that time, where Advani was detained and kept in a bungalow.
Through Yadav, Prime Minister VP Singh wanted to divide the BJP according to its size. Where Advani was kept
Or, a special telephone line was laid to talk to them, so that a dialogue could take place between the two and a middle way could be found, but Vajpayee was not aware of this. Even before the talks between Singh and Advani took place, Vajpayee submitted a letter of withdrawal of support to the President.
The echo of which was heard in Gujarat as well. BJP withdrew its support from the Chimanbhai government. The power that was in Chimanbhai’s hands for about 16 years was about to slip out of his hands again. At such a time, a favorable situation arose for him.
There was a split in the Janata Dal and Chandrashekhar separated from his supporters. Rajiv Gandhi, who did not claim power despite having 195 MPs, supported the Chandrashekhar government.
The Gujarat Congress unit was asked by Rajiv Gandhi to give unconditional support to the Chimanbhai government. More than 30 Congress MLAs led by Madhav Singh Solanki did not like this, but they were helpless in front of the central leadership.
Sharad Pawar has written in his autobiography ‘On My Terms’ that there was a good rapport between Chimanbhai and me. If he had a big project of the industry, he would send it to me. If there was a proposal of a small or medium industry, I would send it to Chimanbhai in Gujarat.
Chandrashekhar’s government was short-lived. Chandrashekhar announced the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. The Janata Dal broke up and several components came into existence. Chimanbhai founded Janata Dal Gujarat in Gujarat. The next Lok Sabha election was fought jointly by Janata Dal-Gujarat and Congress.
D.T. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated during an election campaign on 21 May 1991. Elections were held five days later on the 26th, but the Congress did not benefit from the sympathy wave. Janata Dal Gujarat won as its only candidate Narayan Rathwa, who had recently joined the BJP. Chimanbhai’s wife Urmila Bhabhi also lost the election from Jamnagar seat. Due to good performance in tribal areas, Congress won five seats and BJP won 20 seats.
Chimanbhai did not see the independent existence of his party as Janata Dal-Gujarat, even his government was in danger. At such a time, he approached Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and tried to merge his party with the Congress.
The Gujarat Congress did not like this, but in the absence of Rajiv Gandhi, they could not do anything. On the other hand, the Delhi government needed Chimanbhai, so the merger happened easily.
For the third time in about two years, Chimanbhai managed to save his government. He used to say ‘I will complete my term.’ However, the legislature may not have approved it. He died on 17 February 1994 before the Rajya Sabha elections.
While going to the Rajya Sabha, his wife Urmila Behan became the Minister of State for Energy in the Central Government. First she and then their son Siddharth Patel carried forward Chimanbhai’s political legacy.
Which Patidar Chief Minister ruled for how many days?
Chimanbhai Patel 1,652 days
Babubhai Patel 1,253 days
Keshubhai Patel 1,533 days
Anandiben Patel 808 days
Bhupendra Patel
Chief Minister of Gujarat
17 Bhupendrabhai Rajnikant Patel 13 September 2024 BJP Continued
16 Vijaykumar Rupani 07 August 2016 12 September 2021 BJP
15 Anandiben Patel 22 May 2014 07 August 2016 BJP
14 Narendra Modi 07 October 2001 22 May 2014 BJP
(10) Keshubhai Patel 04 March 1998 06 October 2001 BJP
13 Dilipbhai Parikh 28 October 1997 04 March 1998 Rashtriya Janata Party
12 Shankar Singh Vaghela 23 October 1996 27 October 1997 Rashtriya Janata Party
– President’s rule 19 September 1996 23 October 1996 –
11 Suresh Chandra Mehta 21 October 1995 19 September 1996 BJP
10 Keshubhai Patel 14 March 1995 21 October 1995 BJP
9 Mahabaldas Mehta 17 February 1994 13 March 1995 Janata Dal
(5) Chimanbhai Patel 04 March 1990 17 February 1994 Janata Dal
(7) Madhav Singh Solanki 10 December 1989 03 March 1990 Congress
8 Amar Singh Chaudhary 06 July 1985 09 December 1989 Congress
(7) Madhav Singh Solanki 07 June 1980 06 July 1985 Congress
– President’s rule 17 February 1980 06 June 1980 –
(6) Babubhai Jashbhai Patel 11 April 1977 17 February 1980 Janata Morcha
7 Madhav Singh Solanki 24 December 1976 10 April 1977 Congress
– President’s Rule 12 March 1976 24 December 1976 –
6 Babubhai Jashbhai Patel 18 June 1975 12 March 1976 Janata Morcha
– President’s Rule 09 February 1974 18 June 1975 –
5 Chimanbhai Patel 17 July 1973 09 February 1974 Congress
4Ghanshyambhai Ojha 17 March 1972 17 July 1973 Congress
– President’s Rule 13 May 1971 17 March 1972 –
3 Hitendrabhai Desai 19 September 1965 12 May 1971 Congress
2 Balwantrai Mehta 19 September 1963 19 September 1965 Congress
1 Dr. Jivraaj Mehta 01 May 1960 19 September 1963 Congress (Google translation from Gujarati, there is a possibility of language error)
