Who Will Replace Vijay Rupani? BJP Insiders List Contenders

BJP sources have said that all options for a new Chief Minister are open and a non-MLA Gujarati may also be considered.

Two Union Ministers from Gujarat, the controversial administrator of two union territories, Praful Khoda Patel, and state agriculture minister RC Faldu are said to be among the names being considered to replace Vijay Rupani as Gujarat Chief Minister, sources in the BJP told NDTV on Friday. According to BJP sources, Mr Rupani's resignation, though it came as a shock to many, was planned and at the orders of the central leadership. It follows the precedent of the party asking his predecessor Anandiben Patel to quit in 2016 just over a year ahead of elections. The 65-year-old resigned as Chief Minister on Saturday, over a year ahead of assembly elections in the state, without giving any specific reason. He said the state's development should carry on under "new leadership" and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "guidance". The announcement followed a meeting with BJP's Gujarat state-in-charge Bhupendra Yadav that was attended by two Union Ministers - Mansukh Mandaviya and Parshottam Rupala - as well as BJP General Secretary BL Santosh.