Vijay Rupani could replace Anandiben Patel as Gujarat CM

BJP’s Gujarat president Vijay Rupani is known to share a close rapport with PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, making him the obvious choice to succeed Anandiben Patel after her resignation from the post of Gujarat CM. As per BJP insiders, Rupani can play a balancing role in the state polity.

It was during his student life that Rupani had become interested in politics, and he can also boast of being the only minister in the present cabinet who was jailed during the Emergency. He has shared good relations with all BJP CMs of the state, including Keshubhai Patel, Narendra Modi and Anandiben Patel, and has had a spotless career so far, without being involved in any controversies.

"What has been remarkable about him is the fact that he has always managed to get close to whosoever came to power and never was entangled in any controversy," a BJP source told ET.

Another name that has been doing the rounds is of health minister Nitin Patel, but his chances are grim since the Patidar community had raised voice against him during the agitation. Other than him, Parshottam Rupala could also land the role, since he commands substantial popularity that many others don’t.

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