Nitin Patel

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and ex-deputy CM Nitin Patel, both senior leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Wednesday night announced they will not fight the next month's Assembly elections. Their statements came at a time when the Central Parliament Board of the BJP has convened a meeting to finalise the names of candidates for the polls in New Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I have decided not to fight elections this time, Rupani told reporters in Rajkot without elaborating. Rupani (66), a sitting MLA, was the chief minister from August 2016 to September 2021. Former deputy CM Patel, in a hand written letter sent to Gujarat BJP president C R Paatil, said he should not be considered for ticket from Mehsana, his current Assembly seat, as he has decided not to contest the December elections. Two other BJP leaders, Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and Pradipsinh Jadeja, who were senior ministers in the Rupani cabinet, have also ...

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony chief minister-designate of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel in Ahmedabad on Monday.Speaking to the media, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "Bhupendra Patel is my old family friend. I congratulated him. We will be happy to see him take oath as CM. He has also asked for my guidance whenever needed."Meanwhile, Bhupendra Patel also offered prayers at his home and met his neighbours.Speaking to ANI, one of his neighbours Jeetu Bhai Kaswala said that Patel will do good work."I have been living here for last five years, and in all these years, I have understood that he is a very humble person and always works together. I'm very happy. He will do good work and complete the development process," his neighbour said."I am also distributing sweets as he will be taking the oath the new Chief Minister of Gujarat," he added.Fondly addressed as 'Dada' by his supporters, Bhupendrabhai Rajnikanthbhai .

Patel, whose name is doing the rounds for the top post in the state, told reporters he will not take any individual's name and the BJP's central leadership will decide on the new CM

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani (possibly) has been unable to communicate what the state government has been doing to counter the epidemic

With no major side effects being reported till early afternoon, the drive was largely smooth at multiple centres

Rupani and Patel, who is also the state health minister, will hold a meeting with the district collector, city civic chief and health officials to take stock of the outbreak

The Division Bench of the high court had last week described Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, the state's biggest Covid-19 facility, as being "worse than a dungeon"

On Wednesday, Nitin Patel had presented a Rs 2,17,287 crore state budget for 2020-21, with healthy allocations to education, health and agriculture sectors

State finance minister says the domain's economy grew by 10% at constant rates the past six years, one of the highest among the major territories

PM Modi and Amit Shah were forced to give in Nitin Patel;s demand after 2 days of sulking by the latter for not being given 'portfolios matching his stature'

Nitin Patel didn't disclose whether he would be getting Finance or Urban Development departments which he held in previous govt

The deputy chief minister, who belongs to the influential Patidar community, has not taken charge of these departments so far

Nitin said that Hardik has not discussed an alliance with the Congress Party with the members of Patidar community.

If chosen for the post, Nitin Patel would then have a tough task at hand to placate the community