Anandiben’s exit may put other BJP CMs under scrutiny

NEW DELHI: Anandiben Patel’s resignation from Gujarat chief minister’s post has brought the spotlight back on other BJP-ruled states where the party leadership is

NEW DELHI: Anandiben Patel’s resignation from Gujarat chief minister’s post has brought the spotlight back on other BJP-ruled states where the party leadership is reeling under controversies.

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Patel’s resignation shows that while PM Narendra Modi spent the last two years consolidating his gains at the Centre, he now might be ready to review the performances of BJP CMs with an aim of winning back the states.

Many other BJP CMs have courted controversies in the recent past, but Patel is the first one to step down.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh could be the first one to be put under lens. Singh has won three elections, but his tenure has not been without its share of hurdles. The Congress has attacked Singh over the alleged instances of graft during his reign, including irregularity in the supply of rice in the Rs 36,000 crore PDS.

While the BJP has stood behind Singh, concerns are now being raised over his tenure as the CM because of Congress’ revival in the state.

Haryana, which saw its first BJP government in 2014, is another state that has seen its CM grappling with controversies.

While the BJP governments under Singh and Khattar haven’t had a smooth sailing, party sources say senior leaders will stick with two for the time being.