"Not Upset": Ex Gujarat No. 2 Nitin Patel Stoic As BJP Springs Surprise

Nitin Patel's name had been circulating as a candidate to replace Vijay Rupani, who resigned as Gujarat Chief Minister on Saturday.

As Gujarat prepares for a new Chief Minister and cabinet, former Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who was reportedly expecting the top job, has kept up a riveting sideshow with his comments ranging from defiance and denial to grudging acceptance. Nitin Patel's name had been circulating as a candidate to replace Vijay Rupani, who resigned as Gujarat Chief Minister on Saturday in an unexpected BJP move. Nitin Patel, who belongs to the powerful Patidar community, had even dropped heavy hints. But another Patel -- Bhupendra Patel -- emerged as the party's choice. "I'm not upset," Nitin Patel told news agency ANI, asked about Bhupendra Patel besting him. This is not his first disappointment.