Rupani, Patel to be sworn in as CM, Dy CM
Vijay Rupani and Nitin Patel will be sworn in as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat respectively at Mahatma Mandi in Gandhinagar. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and Union FInance Minister Arun Jaitley will be attending the ceremony. BJP MLAs stated that the ceremony would take place shortly after lunch.
Anandiben's resignation
Anandiben Patel succeeded Narendra Modi as the Gujarat CM in May 2014. She resigned on Monday citing a BJP tradition wherein senior leaders make way for younger leaders after turning 75. She turns 75 in November. Anandiben's tenure of 27 months has been marred by the state-wide Patidar agitation and more recently, the attack on Dalits in Una district by Gau Rakshaks.
Patidar Agitation
Last year, the widespread and violent agitation by the Patidars (Patel community) caught the state machinery unawares. Patidars, traditionally landowners and an affluent caste, have borne the brunt of the agrarian crisis and the economic downturn. They've demanded a quota in colleges and jobs and their protests are ongoing. Patidars account for nearly 25% of Gujarat's population and have been BJP's votebank for decades.
Dalit Agitation
Ongoing Dalit protests in Gujarat are a backlash to an incident in Una, South Gujarat: 7 Dalit youths were savagely thrashed by 35 Gau-Rakshaks (cow protectors) for allegedly slaughtering a cow. Dalits from across Gujarat held a mega protest in Ahmedabad four days ago. They have also pledged to not dispose off animal carcasses henceforth; historically only Dalits have skinned cattle for a living.
RSS Survey: Fallout of Dalit Protests
The statewide agitation by Dalits in Gujarat received support from the leader of the Patidar agitation; the Muslim community has also publicly offered support to the Dalits. According to a recent RSS survey, BJP would perform miserably "if state elections were held today". It also indicated a polarization within the Hindu votebank. Anandiben Patel's resignation has come on the heels of the survey's findings.
Vijay Rupani is the new Gujarat Chief Minister
Vijay Rupani has been announced as the new Gujarat Chief Minister (CM) and Nitin Patel will be the Deputy CM. In an interesting turn of events Mr. Rupani had taken himself out of the CM race and a few hours ago Mr. Patel gave interviews to news channels as Gujarat's CM. Anandiben Patel resigned on Monday and her resignation was accepted on Wednesday.
Vijay Rupani
Vijay Rupani, belongs to the Jain community and hails from Rajkot. He was appointed as President of BJP's Gujarat state unit in February earlier this year. Mr. Vijay Rupani, aged 60, will be the 16th chief minister of Gujarat. He holds a Bachelor of arts and an LL.B degree.
