AHMEDABAD: Crediting her success in politics largely to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has said the BJP gained power at the Centre due to Modi's ability to select "committed" party workers.
Patel had replaced Modi as the Gujarat Chief Minister after the latter became the prime minister in May 2014.
She stepped down as Gujarat Chief Minister in August 2016.
Patel remembered Modi during the launch of her biography "Karma Yatri", written by Ameya Latkar, here last night in the presence of BJP chief Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, among others.
"When I was a teacher before joining politics (in 1980s), I saved two girls from drowning during a picnic. After reading that news, Modi came to my house and asked me to join politics. That was the first time I met him. This is an example how he used to find party workers," 76-year-old Patel recalled.
"He was an expert in picking up right party worker. He used to select those who are committed. He used to select those who never gave up till the assigned work is over. Thanks to this, BJP was able to form its government at the Centre," quipped Patel.
Patel said she had learned almost everything from Modi and his style of running a government.
"Right from taking decisions to holding meetings, I learned many things from him. He even taught us how to face the press. Once he told ministers that instead of giving a direct answer to any question posed by the press, we only need to say what we know," said Patel.
In his address, Shah remembered Patel's journey from being a school teacher to becoming the chief minister and now the Governor.
Shah credited this success to her discipline and strong will.