Making Anandiben Patel scapegoat won’t save BJP: Rahul Gandhi

A day after Anandiben Patel decided to step down as Chief Minister, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said making her a “scapegoat” would not save the BJP in Gujarat as the 13-year Narendra Modi rule in the state was responsible for its “burning”.

“13 years of Modi rule, not 2 years of Anandiben are responsible for Gujarat burning. Sacrificing the scapegoat won't save the BJP,” Gandhi said.

Ms Patel on Monday decided to step down, saying it was time for new the leadership to take over as she is soon going to turn 75.

Elections in Gujarat are scheduled by the end of next year and Congress is upbeat as it had put up a good showing in the rural areas in the panchayat elections.

Terming Patel’s resignation as “overdue”, Congress had on Monday accused the BJP leadership of trying to protect her in spite of “growing unrest” among Dalits and the Patidar community.