'Want to Work in Party Organisation Under PM': Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Resigns

Vijay Rupani was serving as chief minister of the state since 7 August 2016.

File image of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, used for representational purposes.

(Photo: PTI)

Video Producer: Shohini Bose

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani resigned from his post on Saturday, 11 September.

"I have conveyed my wishes to work in party organisation under the leadership of prime minister and under the guidance of BJP chief," Rupani reportedly said, after submitting his resignation.

BJP General Secretary BL Santosh-led meeting is underway in party headquarters in Ahmedabad. A new CM face is likely to be announced later in the day. Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patil and Union Minister for Health Mansukh Mandaviya – hinted to be frontrunners for the post – are also present at the meeting.

"Party observers have come (to Gandhinagar) and party will take decision on the name of new chief minister," added Rupani, after resignation.

The BJP leader had served as chief minister of the state since 7 August 2016.

'Believe Gujarat Should Have New Leadership'

The Assembly elections in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home, are scheduled to be held early next year.

"It is in the nature of the BJP to change the roles of karyakartas depending on the need of the party. Keeping in line with this, I resign as the CM and will take up whatever new role will be assigned to me," Rupani told the media.

"I believe that the progress of Gujarat should have new leadership, and therefore I tender my resignation. The BJP is an ideology-driven party, and it has been our tradition that the objectives of our party workers keep changing based on party command," Rupani was quoted as saying by India Today.

He is the fourth BJP chief minister to resign in recent months. BS Yediyurappa had resigned as Chief Minister of Karnataka in July. Tirath Singh Rawat, who had replaced Trivendra Rawat as the CM of Uttarakhand, stepped down from his position after four months.

Who Will Be the Next CM?

Sources told The Quint that three names – CR Patil and Nitin Patel, along with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya – are being considered to take over as chief minister of the state.

A member of Parliament, CR Patil won the Lok Sabha elections in both 2014 and 2019 from Gujarat's Navsari constituency.

Nitin Patel, on the other hand, is the deputy chief minister of the state. He holds a number of portfolios including finance, road and building, health and family welfare, medical education, among others.

Union Minister Mandaviya is a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat.