Patel, an MLA from Ghatlodiya constituency, will replace Vijay Rupani, who resigned from the top post on Saturday in an unexpected announcement.
Patel will take oath as the chief minister on Monday and after that a decision will be taken on the new cabinet of Gujarat.
Who is Bhupendra Patel
Elected unanimously as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party, Bhupendra Patel, a first-time MLA, is known to be a soft-spoken worker of the party who has carved a niche for himself in state politics from the municipality level.
His name was raised by outgoing CM Vijay Rupani himself.
Affectionately called ‘Dada’ by many, Patel (59) contested his first assembly election in 2017 from Ghatlodia constituency in Ahmedabad and won it by a margin of over 1.17 lakh votes, a record during that election. Was.
Patel is the former chairman of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Standing Committee.
He has also served as the Chairman of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA).
I thank @narendramodi, @JPNadda & @AmitShah for trusting me: @Bhupendrapbjp https://t.co/5Gr0ZDvVc6
— TOI Ahmedabad (@TOIAhmedabad) 163144902000
The BJP MLA is considered close to the former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel, who was also the MLA from Ghatlodiya. After being elected the chief minister, Patel said he was happy to have Anandiben Patel’s blessings.
Patel, who belongs to the Patidar community, is a trustee of the Patidar organization Sardar Dham and Vishwa Umiya Foundation.
He served as the President of Memnagar Municipality in 1999–2000, as the Vice President of the School Board of AMC in 2008–10 and as the Councilor of Thaltej Ward in 2010–15.
He has a Diploma in Civil Engineering.
Heart and Virtue on getting Shri @Bhupendrapbjp elected as member of @BJP4Guja Jeet Member Party… https://t.co/F1Op62Vl89.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) 1631445468000
Dark Horse
After Rupani’s exit, it was strongly anticipated that the BJP would elect a Patidar as the new Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Administrator of the Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Praful Khoda Patel and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya were among the list of contenders for the post.
However, Bhupendra Patel’s name was not on the long list of probables being discussed in the political circles of the state. A political observer said that in a way, the first term legislators emerged as the dark horse.
(with inputs from PTI)
Watch Bhupendra Patel becomes the next Chief Minister of Gujarat
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