Stating that she had always abided by the party’s ideology, principles and discipline, Ms. Patel said many leaders had in recent times established the tradition of voluntarily giving up their positions when they reached 75 years of age, which had set an example for everyone in the party. The formality of going to the Governor and informing the party happened later. Saying that it was indeed hard for her to fill the shoes of outgoing CM Narendra Modi in 2014, Anandiben said she tried her best to take Gujarat ahead on the growth path marked by Modi.
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The BJP suffered another setback when low-caste Dalits staged protests recently in the state after four Dalit men were chained to the back of a vehicle and beaten with rods for skinning a dead cow.
Indian Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has said that thirteen years of Narendra Modi’s rule is responsible for the present state of affairs in Gujarat.
Faced with infighting in the party and huge disenchantment on the ground, beleaguered Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel on Monday offered to resign and asked the BJP to select a new face before she turns 75 on November 21. Gujarat polls are due in December 2017.
Prior to 2014, Anandiben had been serving as a minister in the BJP government since 1998.
“Anandiben Patel’s resignation has been accepted by the Parliamentary board”.
Though the decision is to be taken at the “highest level” of the BJP leadership, the names doing the rounds as potential successor to Patel include the “number two” in state Cabinet and Health minister Nitin Patel, state BJP chief Vijay Rupani, Union minister Purshottam Rupala, and Assembly Speaker Ganpat Vasava, a tribal leader. She explained the reasons behind her exit and reposed faith in the party’s younger generation, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership.
“He will chair the meeting of state legislature party and hold consultation with the stakeholders to decide on the next chief minister of Gujarat”, Naidu told reporters here.
A top party source said Anandiben’s resignation was part of Modi’s larger game plan to put an end to the cold war between Shah and her, which would have dented the party’s prospects in the Assembly elections next year. Amit Shah, a BJP president stated that, “She has requested the party to relieve her of the post”.
“Therefore, it is highly possible that polls in Gujarat would take place simultaneously with Punjab and UP”.
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“I am proud of the fact that I have not lagged behind in maintaining the pace in taking Gujarat forward in the course of development charted by him (Mr Modi)”, she said on Facebook. “I will also complete 75 years this November”.
