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Anandiben goes: BJP needed a scapegoat to stem Dalit anger

Following recent unrest in Gujarat, chief minister Anandiben Patel posted her resignation letter on her official website, linked to Facebook and Twitter.

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He said, Ms Patel had twice offered to resign and also raised the issue in the BJP’s National Executive meet in June and wrote to him again today morning.

A day after Anandiben Patel chose to step down as chief minister, AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi said making her a “scapegoat” would not save the BJP in Gujarat as the 13-year Narendra Modi rule in the state was responsible for its “burning”. “The decision to dispense with Anandiben was taken at a meeting in New Delhi on July 17 presided over by Mr. Modi with BJP chief Amit Shah in attendance”. As the BJP parliamentary board decides over her resignation, here are a few facts about the teacher-turned-politician.

In Delhi, BJP Parliamentary Board is meeting on Wednesday when it is likely to accept Patel’s offer to resign and begin the process of picking up her successor.

Prior to 2014, Anandiben had been serving as a minister in the BJP government since 1998.

Anandiben Patel has resigned as the chief minister of Gujarat.

Former BJP president Nitin Gadkari and national general secretary Saroj Pandey would also be present in the meeting as central observers. He also headed the committee that was held negotiations with the leaders of the Patel agitation, but it did not enjoy much success.

He said the state will also be hosting the Vibrant Gujarat summit in January next year. Killing them is banned in Gujarat, although villagers said the animal that sparked the attack on the youths had died of natural causes.

In a Facebook post written on Monday, Patel said, “Since some time, the party has introduced a tradition of senior leaders voluntarily stepping down from responsibilities when they complete 75 years of age”.

“The Parliamentary Board gave its approval to Anandiben Patel’s wish to quit”, Naidu said and insisted that the board did not discuss names of any candidate to replace her.

Ending rumours of Amit Shah taking over as the state head, Naidu said “no question of Amit Shah ji”.

The Chief Minister announced her exit on social media. Her daughter Anar Patel was embroiled in a series of alleged corruption.

However, sources in the party said the final decision in this regard will be taken at the highest level and at present, one cannot hazard a guess on who was the favourite.

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The state had recently come in for major criticism, starting with a revolt among traditional BJP supporters the Patidars, which lead to losses in the rural civic body polls held recently.

Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel submits resignation to Governor