EXCLUSIVE: Amit Shah Reveals Who Will Be BJP's Chief Ministerial Face In Gujarat Polls

Amit Shah Interview: The Union Home Minister exuded confidence that BJP would win Gujarat for a record seventh consecutive time.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Source : PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in an exclusive interview with ABP News, said that BJP was contesting the upcoming Gujarat Assembly election under the leadership of Bhupendra Patel and he would continue as the chief minister if the saffron party forms the next government.

The confirmation by Shah puts to rest speculation that Gujarat BJP chief CR Patil could be made chief minister if the party wins the 2022 polls.

When asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be the face of BJP's campaign in the state, Shah said, "Elections are being held under the leadership of Bhupendra bhai and the party will seek votes in the name of Bhupendra bhai. The people of Gujarat will vote as per the the work done by Bhupendra Patel and make him win. Then what is the point of bringing change?"

Bhupendra Patel, a first-time MLA, took oath as the seventeenth chief minister of Gujarat in September 2021 after Vijay Rupani's surprise resignation just a year ahead of assembly polls. Rupani was reportedly replaced as CM to beat anti-incumbency.

Patel has earlier has served as the chairman of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA). He has never held a ministerial post, just like Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he became Gujarat CM twenty years ago.

When asked why the Gujarat CM was changed just a year ahead of state election, Amit Shah said, "After Narendra Modi became PM, Anandiben Patel was made the CM of Gujarat. As per the BJP policy, Anandiben Patel was the CM till the age of 75. Then, Vijay Rupani came and was the CM for five years. Now, we are fighting the polls under the leadership of Bhupendra Patel."

Exuding confidence that BJP would win Gujarat for a record seventh consecutive time, Shah said the hard work being done by a booth-level party worker as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be rewarded by the voters.

"BJP will win Gujarat polls by a thumping majority and return to power," Shah said.