AHMEDABAD: Gujarat’s first woman chief minister, Anandiben Patel, posted her resignation letter on her official website, linked to Facebook and Twitter. This is done to repair the political damage of party before assembly polls, scheduled for end of 2017.

Reactions of other political party leaders on Anandiben Patel’s Resignation:

Aday after her resignation Rahul Gandhi said on his official Twitter handle that 13 years of Modi rule, not 2 years of Anandiben are responsible for Gujarat burning. Sacrificing the scapegoat won’t save the BJP. While Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal dubbed the sudden move as ‘AAP’s victory in its fight against corruption’.

Ahmed Patel, Congress leader and Gujarat MP, said that Patel’s resignation meant BJP’s sure defeat in 2017 Gujarat polls.

CPM tweeted to Amit Shah saying: “You can’t escape responsibility for anti-Dalit culture and policies promoted by the Sangh Parivar by Anandiben Patel’s resignation.”

Who will succeed Anandiben Patel in Gujarat?

Vijay Rupani: 60 yr old and equally by the Sangh (RSS) and the sangathan (party), transport and water supply minister is on top of the list of frontrunners. The state BJP president, became an MLA for the first time in 2014 after winning the byelection for the Rajkot West seat vacated by Vajubhai Vala who went on to become the governor of Karnataka. However, he belongs to the Jain community so he may lose out if the BJP chooses a leader from the dominant vote banks.

Nitin Patel: 60 yr old Gujarat’s health and family welfare minister, is officially No. 2 in the cabinet. He has two decades of experience as minister. He was assigned to manage the Patidar crisis and headed a panel of seven ministers that examined the quota demand. He has good relations with Modi and Amit Shah.

Bhikhubhai Dalsaniya: 52 yr old state BJP general secretary, and the most powerful leader in the party from the Modi era. He comes from the RSS and acts as a bridge between the sangh and the BJP.