Who will be Gujarat's next CM?

The race for the next CM has begun. Here are the top contenders for the post

Hours after the surprise resignation of Vijay Rupani on Saturday evening, PM Narendra Modi and the BJP core committee have supposedly finalised the name of the next Chief Minister, said sources. The party, however, has chosen to remain tight-lipped.

Asked about reasons for his resignation, Rupani said, “In BJP, it is like a relay race for party workers. One gives the baton to the other.” On who will be the next chief minister, Rupani said that the party will decide about it.

Here are the frontrunners:

CR Patil

CR Patil is the current state BJP unit’s leader and the most trusted aide of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. He is said to wield enough power to control the bureaucracy with a firm hand. Patil happens to be a Maharashtrian, which may eat into his popularity, but experts say Rupani belonged to the Jain community and, in Gujarat, the Jain population is only 0.95 per cent.

Gordhan Zhadafia

Zhadafia, former president of Gujarat Parivartan Party, is joining the BJP. Zhadafia was also home minister in the Keshubhai Patel  government.

Mansukh Mandaviya

Mansukh Mandaviya is the Union Health Minister and a member of the Bhavnagar Leuva Patel community. Active in Gujarat politics, he’s likely to rise to the occasion if offered the position.

Purshotam Rupala

Rupala is a well-known leader in the Patidar community and has a strong hold in Amreli, Bhavnagar and Maheshana.  He is a grassroot level leader.

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