Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s one-term MLA Bhupendra Patel took oath as the new Gujarat Chief Minister Monday, two days after his predecessor Vijay Rupani stepped down.
Patel, a surprise pick by the BJP, took oath in presence of Union Home Minister and BJP top leader Amit Shah.
Patel fought and won from the Ghatlodia seat with a margin of over 1,17,000 votes against Congress’ Shashikant Patel in the 2017 assembly polls.
The seat was earlier held by former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.
In a surprising move, Rupani last Saturday afternoon stepped down with one year left for the next state elections.
Congratulating Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP’s main face, tweeted, “Congratulations to Bhupendra Bhai on taking oath as CM of Gujarat. I have known him for years and have seen his exemplary work, be it in the BJP Organisation or in civic administration and community service. He will certainly enrich Gujarat’s growth trajectory.”
Congratulations to Bhupendra Bhai on taking oath as CM of Gujarat. I have known him for years and have seen his exemplary work, be it in the BJP Organisation or in civic administration and community service. He will certainly enrich Gujarat’s growth trajectory. @Bhupendrapbjp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2021
