Ahmedabad, Aug 1 (Agencies) : In a surprising move, Anandiben Patel on Monday resigned as Gujarat Chief Minister after she said in a Facebook post that she was old now and it was time for new leadership to take over. In a surprising move, Anandiben Patel on Monday resigned as Gujarat Chief Minister after she said in a Facebook post that she was old now and it was time for new leadership to take over.
With Anandiben Patel resigning from her post as Gujarat chief minister, talks are already on about who will be her successor. In a surprising move, Anandiben Patel on Monday resigned as Gujarat Chief Minister after she said in a Facebook post that she was old now and it was time for new leadership to take over. According to the latest reports, BJP has accepted her resignation. Patel-led government in Gujarat has been in the middle of a turmoil in the last few months. Patel faced a lot of criticism after four Dalit youths were beaten up in Una on 11 July for allegedly skinning a dead cow. In fact, Gujarat is currently witnessing one of the biggest Dalit uprising that ever took place in the state. Among the frontrunners for the CM race include Saurabh Patel, Nitin Patel and Vijay Rupani.
Here is a short profile on them:
Saurabh Patel: Saurabh Patel is a MLA of Gujarat. He is currently a Member of Legislative Assembly in the 13th Gujarat Legislative Assembly. In the Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections that concluded in 2012, he contested and was directly elected from Akota. He holds the post of State Cabinet Minister in the Anandiben Patel led state government. Considered to be one of the most educated Ministers serving in the Cabinet, he holds the portfolios for Energy & Petrochemicals, Mines & Minerals, Cottage Industry, Salt Industry, Printing, Stationery, Planning, Tourism, Civil Aviation, finance and Labour & Employment.
He holds a MBA degree from the United States of America. Saurabh Patel is the husband of the first cousin of Mukesh and Anil Ambani. He is the son-in-law of Ramnikbhai Ambani, the elder brother of late Dhirubhai Ambani. Interested in Energy Field Saurabh Patel has succeeded in making an Energy Negative Building in Gandhinagar. He is also brainchild behind Asia’s Biggest Solar Power Project as well as pilot project of rooftop Solar Panel on Narmada Canal.
Nitin Patel: Nitin Patel is a Cabinet Minister for Health, Medical Education, Family Welfare, Road and Building, Capital Project in government of Gujarat. He was formerly a Cabinet Minister for water supply, Urban Development and Urban Housing. He was elected to Gujarat Legislative Assembly from Mehsana in 2012.
Vijay Rupani: Vijay Rupani is a MP from the Bharatiya Janata Party and a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly representing Rajkot West and presently State cabinet minister of Gujarat government and Gujarat State Bharatiya Janata Party President. According to reports, his chances are high since he enjoys proximity with BJP’s chief whip Amit Shah. Rupani also has the endorsement of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, having been associated with the saffron organization since 1971. He even enjoyed unbridled support from Narendra Modi and served as BJP’s Gujarat unit general secretary and chairman of the Gujarat Finance Board during chief ministership of Narendra Modi.
He was inducted as minister in the first cabinet expansion by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and currently is in charge of transport, water supply, labour and employment.