“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”. The most prominent names heard in this phase are the present health minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel, state BJP chief Vijay Rupani, Union minister Purshottam Rupala.
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She said she was turning 75 in November and wanted to give way to a younger leader ahead of January’s Vibrant Gujarat summit – a showcase event that Mr Modi uses to woo global investors – and state elections later next year.
In a letter to national BJP president Amit Shah, the contents of which she posted on Facebook in Gujarati, Patel says: “I turn 75 in November but I am requesting the party leadership to relieve me now to allow more time to the new incumbent”. “But I am proud of the fact that nowhere have I lagged behind in maintaining the pace of taking Gujarat forward on the course of development he charted”, she said.
Firstly, it could have been possible that Shah was eyeing the post of Gujarat chief minister after Modi moved to Delhi to take over national affairs in 2014, but gave up his aspirations after it was indicated that he would be made BJP chief. She headed the government as CM in satisfactory manner. BJP seniors hope that a new chief minister in the saddle will be able to rid him or herself of the baggage, and start wooing the communities afresh.
Political analysts said the protests and the chief minister’s resignation were signs of trouble for the BJP. “She herself has said she wanted someone to take over before Vibrant Gujarat and the state polls later next year”, Shah said, confirming that the CM had offered to quit earlier but was persuaded to stay on.
Terming Patel’s resignation as “overdue”, Congress had on Monday accused the BJP leadership of trying to protect her in spite of “growing unrest” among Dalits and the Patidar community over her handling of issues related to them.
Naidu said the next Chief Minister would be from among the MLAs in Gujarat.
Anandiben handed over her resignation to Governor O.P. Kohli. When the question was put to Rupani, he said whatever responsibilities the party entrusts him, he will shoulder it. Patel was accompanied by cabinet ministers as well as senior party as well as state leaders. “I will place the letter she has written to me before the Parliamentary Board and it will take a decision”, Shah said.
“It (the rule of 75) is a good thing and it will give a chance to young leaders to come up”, she added.
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“She has been a minister in Gujarat government for 18 years”.
