(Image source from: Modis Gujarat heir Anandibens rivalry with Amit Shah spells trouble})

Did you think that being Narendra Modi's heir in Gujarat will be easy for Anandiben Patel. Nothing can be further from truth as the 72-year-old Anandiben is set to become Gujarat's first woman Chief Minister.

However, Anandiben's ascension in the Gujarat BJP ranks has not been warmly welcomed by all. Anandiben doesn't share a close relationship with Modi's closest political aide Amit Shah, credited with the massive BJP victory. This fact could bode trouble for Anandiben, according to reports.

Apparently, Amit Shah and Anandiben Patel are described as bitter rivals.

When Modi reached the Ahmedabad airport from Delhi along with Shah, Anandiben was present at the airport to welcome him. But, Gujrat's CM designate was not seen making efforts to speak to Amit Shah.

The rivalry between Amit Shah and Anandiben Patel was obvious on the day Modi gave his  farewell speech in his assembly constituency. Modi was not seen interacting with Anandiben at all though she was one the last leaders to leave the podium. And on top of that, the entire time Modi's focus was on praising Shah. The PM designate did not utter a single word of praise for his successor in Gujarat.

According to reports, this disparity was not accidental, but reflects the poor relations between Amit Shah and Anandiben Patel - the two "arms" of Narendra Modi. Anandiben, who is organised and dedicated, reportedly doesn't approve of Shah’s aggressive style.

At present Anandiben is Gujarat's Minister of Road and Building, Revenue, Urban development and Urban Housing, Disaster Management and Capital Projects. Born in Kharod village, in Mehsana district, Patel was a schoolteacher till 1987 when she joined the BJP.

According to reports Anandiben's elevation to the rank of CM was obvious. Bhailal Patel, Anandiben's campaign manager during elections, says that the CM designate is in Modi's good books because of her behind-the-scene work that gets her elected everytime.

Since 1998, Anandiben has been the longest serving woman MLA in Gujarat and has remained loyal to Modi even when he was banished from the state between 1996 and 2001. At that time she was a minister in Keshubhai cabinet, but was never afraid to be seen in Modi's company.

Anandiben's relationship with Modi has always been good but it's her sour relationship with Modi's most trusted aide that may cause trouble for her in future.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)