AHMEDABAD: : Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is expected to bid adieu to the people of Gujarat as their Chief Minister from his Assembly constituency Maninagar on Wednesday. He is expected to pave way for his trusted aide Anandi Patel, who may become the state’s first woman Chief Minister.
After attending the BJP parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on Tuesday, Modi will fly to Maninagar, where he is scheduled to address a public meeting in the evening. The Gujarat Assembly will meet for a day on Wednesday to bid him goodbye. Following the session in which he will address the Assembly members, he will tender his resignation to Governor Kamla Beniwal, a source said.
The BJP has called an MLA meeting on Wednesday to elect their new leader in the House. Anandi Patel is the top contender for the coveted post. The names of leaders, including Sourabh Patel, are also doing rounds, but Anandi’s seniority and popularity seem to be her trump card. Sourabh is also a popular leader and is known as Modi confidante, but his relationship with a top industrialist from the state is likely to be the biggest hurdle in his way. There is also a speculation that RSS leader Bhikhubhai Dalsania would be sent to lead the Gujarat Government.
However, the BJP is keen on choosing someone within the party itself. The new Chief Minister is likely to take oath on May 23.
According to sources, Modi will not resign as an MLA till he swears in as the PM, most probably on May 25.