Vijay Rupani on Sunday was sworn in as the Gujarat Chief Minister at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
Nitin Patel took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat
Twenty three cabinet minsters to take oath soon as well.
Rupani was announced as Anandiben Patel’s successor on Friday.
The BJP will also be announcing the state’s party chief as Rupani steps down to assume his new role as the chief minister.
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Meet Vijay Rupani, Law Graduate, RSS Loyalist and New Gujarat CM
Who is Vijay Rupani?
This 60-year-old state BJP chief was a top contender for the CM’s post. His conciliatory approach got him the state presidency. He was also given several key portfolios in the Anandiben cabinet thanks to his administrative skills. Given the volatile situation in the state amid agitations by Patidars and Dalits, these skills may have helped him get the top job.
The party leadership feels that the new leader should be able to reach out to the protesting communities and an amiable Rupani can do that. To maintain law and order, his administrative skills will be helpful.
Rupani, who is a law graduate, enjoys support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is a known confidant of BJP president Amit Shah. And he’s an RSS loyalist as well.
Rupani belongs to the Jain community and hails from Rajkot, the heartland of Saurashtra. With OBCs and Dalits up in arms, making someone from a non-OBC community the chief minister may help the party navigate a tricky situation.
Who is Nitin Patel?
Also 60 years old, he is a member of the Patidar community, currently serving as Gujarat’s Minister for Heath, Medical Education, Family Welfare, Road and Building, Capital Project, as well as a Mehsana representative in the Assembly. Nitinbhai is not only a seasoned politician, but also a successful businessman.
After Narendra Modi left Gujarat for Delhi in 2014, Nitin Patel had openly expressed his willingness to be the Chief Minister of the state. Although he was denied that chance, he went on to become second-in-command to Anandiben Patel.
Anandiben Steps Down
The party’s parliamentary board accepted Anandiben Patel’s resignation on Wednesday in Delhi during a meeting. Gujarat Tribal Affairs Minister Ganpat Vasava lauded Anandiben Patel’s decision to step down:
I think she (Anandiben Patel) is the first such chief minister in Gujarat, who had stepped down from the important post. She had set an example to all the people of Gujarat and India. The step taken by her is courageous.
Anandiben stepped down as the Chief Minister of Gujarat citing old age as the reason as she will soon be turning 75.
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Amit Shah Picked Rupani
BJP president Amit Shah held intensive deliberations with party leaders up till Thursday night to finalise the candidate.
Among others, Amit Shah met the following leaders while deciding the next CM, who will play a major role in the upcoming Assmebly elections:
- State BJP in-charge Dinesh Sharma
- National joint general secretary (organisation) V Satish
- Party treasurer Surendra Patel
- Education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama
- Former state BJP chief RC Faldu
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