The BJP Parliamentary Board on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. The body has authorised party president Amit Shah to look for a replacement for Ms. Patel, who will formally tender her resignation to Gujarat Governor O.P. Kohli later today.
Partly leaders Nitin Gadkari and Saroj Pandey have been appointed as observers for electing the new Gujarat chief minister.
Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has ruled out the possibility of Mr. Shah becoming the chief minister, although he will be present at the meeting of party MLAs.
Ms. Patel on Monday offered to resign at a time when the party is facing unrest and rising anti-incumbency ahead of the Assembly elections due next year.
Her handling of two major agitations — one by the powerful Patidar community and the other by Dalits after members of the community were beaten up by a cow vigilante group for allegedly skinning a dead cow — was widely criticised.
She also faced severe challenges from within her party, making her lose grip over the party and the government that left the State in a limbo.
