Anandiben Patel quits as Gujarat CM

While some reports claim that the BJP has already accepted her resignation, party chief Amit Shah said they are yet to take a final call on the matter. I too am turning 75 this November. Patel, who is Gujarat’s first female chief minister, was hand-picked by Narendra Modi as his successor when left Gandhinagar to become prime minister in may 2014.

Patel said though she would reach the age of 75 in November, she chose to step down early keeping in mind the assembly elections due next year and the Vibrant Gujarat summit in January.

As the Centre is now expected to start deliberations to decide the hike in allowances, the state government will take appropriate decision about allowances as per the announcement by the Centre, added the release.

Ms. Patel’s decision came in the backdrop of Patidar agitation by the Patel community for reservation and recent protests in the state by dalits after Una incident.

However, Rupani is seen as the frontrunner in the race for now.

BJP president Amit Shah confirmed that he has received Anandiben’s resignation letter. Expressing her gratitude towards the party leadership Patel made an emotional request in the letter, which was sent to State Party President Vijay Rupani and Central leadership. I don’t think that age factor is the reason behind her resignation. “We will be calling a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board to choose her replacement”, he said. The board would meet on Wednesday morning. “It is drama. She is being sacked”, Ashutosh said. She has taken her decision and that is why she has shared it on social media addressing the people of the state…

During a plantation drive in Valsad district today, she said: “When our brothers, sisters from the middle class go out in their cars for work, they have to shell out Rs 100-150 at toll booths”.