Setting in motion the process for picking a new Gujarat chief minister, BJP today gave its go ahead to incumbent Anandiben Patel to resign and authorised its president Amit Shah to pick her successor in consultation with the legislature party.
The legislature party meeting is likely to be held on Friday after Shah reaches Ahmedabad on Thursday. Patel will tender her resignation to the Governor on Wednesday, senior party leader M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence.
The Board also appointed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and party general secretary Saroj Pandey as central observers for the legislature party meeting in which the new leader will beformally elected.
Shah, who is an MLA in the Gujarat Assembly, will also attend the meeting. Patel’s successor will be among the party’s MLAs, Naidu asserted. He also rejected reports that Shah can replace Patel, saying the party needs his leadership at the national level as he has taken it to “great heights” and led it to many successes. No name of her successor was discussed in the Board’s meeting, he said.
“The Parliamentary Board gave its approval to Anandiben Patel’s wish to quit. She had wished to be relieved of her responsibility as she would turn 75 soon. She has set up a great precedent for lakhs of party workers.
(Sourced from agencies, Feature image courtesy:oneindia.com)
