Nitin Patel emerges as frontrunner for Gujarat CM post after Rupani bows out

NEW DELHI: Gujarat's Health Minister Nitin Patel has emerged the frontrunner to take over as Gujarat Chief Minister. Sources say BJP state unit chief Vijay Rupani - the other prominent contender for the job – has bowed out of the race. The BJP is expected to announce the name of Gujarat's new Chief Minister at 4 pm.
Sources claimed that Rupani pulled out after his chances were blocked by outgoing CM Anandiben Patel.Patel reportedly tendered her resignation to Governor OP Kohli on Wednesday only after ensuring that Rupani announced he was no longer in the race to become the new Gujarat Chief Minister.
Rupani, who is considered close to Amit Shah, had reportedly made appointments in the party according to the BJP national president’s wishes. A number of Anandiben's supporters had been sidelined in the process.
Also, Shah had reportedly blocked Anandiben's efforts to make Mansukh Mandavia the BJP Gujarat president. Shah had backed Purushottam Rupala’s elevation as the party’s state unit chief instead.
The announcement on Anandiben’s successor is expected to come after a meeting with MLAs at the state BJP headquarters. Amit Shah will attend the meeting, with Nitin Gadkari and Saroj Pandey present as observers.
Report by Ashish Amin