Bhartiya Janta Party has named Vijay Rupani as the next Chief Minister of Gujarat. The 60-year-old state unit chief of the BJP succeeds Anandiben Patel, who resigned early this week citing her age and the need for a fresh face to lead the party in the assembly polls due late next year.
The ruling party also named another strongman and current state Health Minister Nitin Patel as the Deputy CM of Gujarat.
Vijay Rupani (R) with BJP chief Amit Shah.
According to media reports, Nitin Patel was tipped to be the front runner to succeed Anandiben Patel as Gujarat CM but by the evening it was clear that Vijay Rupani is ahead in the race.
The decision was arrived at the BJP legislature party meeting in Ahmedabad, which was called to elect the next leader.
BJP chief Amit Shah, who was also at Ahmedabad to oversee the meeting, held intense deliberations with party leaders to finalise the new chief minister.
