New Delhi: Bhupendra Patel will be sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat following the resignation of Vijay Rupani last week. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat’s residence in Gandhinagar, Raj Bhavan at 2.20 p.m.
The ceremony is likely to be attended by Home Minister Amit Shah & Bharatiya Janta President J.P. Nadda.
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"The newly appointed leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Legislature Party, Bhupendrabhai Patel, presented a proposal to form a new government under his leadership at the Raj Bhavan. Accepting the proposal, he was invited to take oath as the Chief Minister on September 13, 2021, at 2:20 pm," tweeted the Governor.
During a press briefing Bhupendra Patel told the media that he was grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief J.P. Nadda, and Union minister Amit Shah for the trust they reposed in him.
"The blessings of former CM Anandiben Patel are with me all the time. We will plan anew and discuss with the organisation to take forward the development works," said Bhupendra Patel according to IANS.
Vijay Rupani who resigned from the top post on Saturday said, "Bhupendra Patel is capable. We believe BJP will win the upcoming elections in the state under his leadership", ANI reported.
Ghatlodia MLA Bhupendra Patel was selected as Gujarat's new chief minister following Vijay Rupani's resignation on Saturday from the top post. It's over a year before the state goes to polls for the state Assembly elections.
Senior BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J P Nadda, congratulated Bhupendra Patel on his election as the BJP legislative party leader in Gujarat. Shah expressed confidence that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance and Patel's leadership, the state's development journey will receive new energy and momentum.
Gujarat will continue to be a leading state in good governance and public welfare works, he said.
Nadda called up Patel to congratulate him. PM Narendra Modi too phoned Patel on Sunday and congratulated him, a BJP spokesperson said according to PTI.
The proposal to elect Patel the legislative party leader was moved by Rupani, whose resignation 15 months ahead of the state Assembly polls, surprised many political observers. The BJP's legislature party meeting was attended by Central Observers - Union Ministers Narendra Tomar and Pralhad Joshi. BJP's national general secretary Tarun Chug was also present at the meeting.
"Only the chief minister will be sworn in tomorrow," state BJP president C.R. Paatil said while talking to reporters on Sunday according IANS after Bhupendra Patel's selection in the legislature party meeting at Kamalam.
Later Paatil added that the revamped cabinet will be formed following consultation with the senior leaders in a couple of days.