Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel applies a tilak to the forehead of newly-elected state BJP president Vijay Rupani in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Friday. — PTI
Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel applies a tilak to the forehead of newly-elected state BJP president Vijay Rupani in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Friday. — PTI
The BJP’s Gujarat unit on Friday declared state Cabinet minister Vijay Rupani as its next chief. With the Assembly elections in the state scheduled early next year and the state witnessing Patel quota agitation, many in the BJP are of the view that it was a “master stroke” to name Mr Rupani, who belongs to the Jain-Baniya community and is considered a “vocal face” of the party. By nominating Mr Rupani, considered close to the RSS and PM Narendra Modi, the BJP has also tried to strike a balance between Amit Shah and Anandiben Patel factions. A former RS member, Mr Rupani, 60, succeeded R.C. Faldu who headed the party in the state for two terms. After his name was announced, Mr Rupani, known for his administrative and managerial skills, praised the Prime Minister and the Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel. Many in the state unit feels cadre will be upbeat as he is “accessible” to all and has cordial relations with all senior party leaders.
Mr Rupani is from the Saurashtra region in the state, which is considered a stronghold of Patels. The BJP’s performance in the recent local body elections in Saurashtra was dismal.
Congratulating Mr Rupani, the Gujarat chief minister said, “Your name is Vijay and you have been winning and hope that you continue to do so in the future also.”
The BJP had to delay announcing its next Gujarat unit chief as no consensus could be reached earlier. After he was elected as the next Gujarat unit chief, Mr Rupani addressed party workers and asked them to start preparing for the Assembly elections.
