Narendra Modi to resign as Gujarat CM on May 21, Anandiben`s name finalised: Report

Zee Media Bureau/Ritesh K Srivastava

Gandhinagar: BJP`s PM-designate Narendra Modi is expected to resign as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on May 21 - a day after he will be formally elected as the new leader by the party`s parliamentary board to lead the NDA government. Reports on Sunday said that the state BJP leaders have arrived at a consensus on senior minister Anandiben Patel`s name to be the new Chief Minister of Gujarat. On May 20, the BJP MLAs will formally elect Patel as their leader in the presence of Thawarchand Gehlot, BJP general secretary, who has been appointed as the observer to monitor the entire process by the party high command. A day after – on May 21- Modi will resign as the Chief Minister to initiate process for the formation of the NDA government at the Centre. The RSS, BJP`s parent body, is believed to have given Modi a free hand in choosing his successor for Gujarat. Patel name has been finalised for the post of state`s new chief minister considering her seniority in state Cabinet and vast experience in administration. She has handled crucial ministries such as those of education, revenue and women and child development. Also, the BJP wants to take advantage of the opportunity to appoint the state`s first woman chief minister. Importantly, Modi`s close confidante Amit Shah is not in the CM`s race as he is expected to be part of the central cabinet.