Gujarat CM Shri Vijay Rupani submits his resignation letter to the Governor.
Gandhi Nagar, September 11: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced his resignation on Saturday, in an unexpected turn of events ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state’s Assembly election later this year.
“Under PM Modi’s leadership, Gujarat has been on a five-year development journey. I’ve decided to retire as Chief Minister to further develop the state with new energy and power, ” ANI news agency cited Mr. Rupani as a source.
Mr Rupani’s departure (and, by extension, that of his government) leaves the ruling BJP with three options: pick a replacement (and new cabinet), place the state under President’s Rule, or hold the election considerably sooner than planned.
According to sources, no decision on early elections has been made yet, and a new Chief Minister is most likely the strategy.
BL Santosh and Bhupendra Yadav, both senior leaders, are in Ahmedabad to talk about replacements.
Mansukh Mandaviya, who was sworn in as Union Health Minister in July, and Nitin Patel, who was Mr Rupani’s deputy, are two likely candidates, according to sources.
According to sources, Praful Khoda Patel, the present Administrator for the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep, is another contender. In July, Mr Patel was in the news when a series of controversial directives sparked widespread protests in Lakshadweep and the mainland.
“It is well known that the BJP, as a party, adapts to changing circumstances. It is a peculiarity of our party that every worker gives his or her all, and I, too, will continue to work for the party with the same zeal,” he added.
