In an unexpected turn of events, Vijay Rupani, the 60-year-old state BJP chief, has been announced the next Gujarat Chief Minister, while the supposed frontrunner Nitin Patel was appointed his deputy. Interestingly, just two hours prior to the announcement, Nitin Patel was giving interviews to TV news channels about his plans as the next Chief Minister.
Rupani’s conciliatory approach got him the state presidency and administrative skills got him several key portfolios in the Anandiben cabinet.
Given the volatile situation in the state, amid agitations by Patidars and Dalits, these skills will stand him in good stead. The party leadership feels that the new leader should be able to reach out to the protesting communities and an amiable Rupani can potentially do that. To maintain law and order, his administrative skills will be helpful.
Post the announcement, Rupani spoke to the press and expressed gratitude for his victory.
The responsibility I have been handed is great and we (Rupani and Nitin Patel) are thankful for this. Thank you all for giving us such a big opportunity, will put in all the efforts to make Gujarat the role model of India.Vijay Rupani
Vijay Rupani: The New Gujarat CM at a Glance
- Born on 2nd August 1956 he belongs to a Jain Baniya family
- Vijay Rupani holds a bachelor of Arts and an LLB degree
- Entered into politics as a student activist of ABVP and later joined RSS
- He was a leader of Jan Sangh
- He was jailed during emergency in 1977
- Rupani won Rajkot West Assembly bypoll in October 2014 after Vajubhai Vala resigned as the MLA
- Rupani was the minister of Water Supply, Transport, Labour and Employment in Anandiben Patel’s government
- Rupani was made president of Guajrat BJP in February 2016
- He was Rajya Sabha member from 2006-2012
- He has served as a corporator and the mayor of Rajkot
- He has been a close aide of former BJP CMs, Keshubhai Patel and Narendra Modi
Rupani, who is a law graduate, enjoys the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is a known confidant of BJP president Amit Shah. He is also an RSS loyalist. He belongs to the Jain community and hails from Rajkot, the heartland of Saurashtra.
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