Narendra Modi resigns as Gujarat Chief Minister

Gandhinagar: Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi Wednesday resigned as Chief Minister of Gujarat, after heading the state for over 12 years.

Modi submitted his resignation and that of his council of ministers to Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal at Raj Bhavan this afternoon. Modi, who was appointed Prime Minister yesterday by President Pranab Mukherjee, was accompanied by senior Cabinet colleagues and state BJP leaders. The 63-year-old BJP leader, who steered his party and NDA to a landslide victory, will be sworn in as the Prime Minister on May 26. Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat since October 7, 2001. Before tendering his resignation, Modi attended a special session of the state Legislative Assembly where he was accorded farewell by the members.