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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will announce its new chief minister for Gujarat at 4 p.m. Friday, even as it attempts to keep the name of the new chief minister of Gujarat under wraps till the last minute.
Since Thursday, BJP national president Amit Shah has been holding marathon meetings with party leaders and MLAs at Kamalam, BJP's Gujarat headquarters. However, speculation is rife over state cabinet minister Nitin Patel being chosen for the same. However, Patel himself has said that it is the party MLAs' right to choose the new chief minister.
Patel's chances as the new chief minister also increased when state party president Vijay Rupani withdrew from the race, and Union minister Venkaiah Naidu ruled out Amit Shah as a probable. However, state BJP general secretary Bhikhubhai Dalsania is now also a contender.
The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on Saturday at Gandhinagar secretariat.
Considering the Patidar and Dalit agitations since some time in the state, the Cabinet under the new CM is likely to see some fresh faces, some of which could be representing these communities.
A cautious BJP, over an year ahead of Assembly elections, can be expected to take measures to placate classes and communities such as OBCs, tribals and upper castes, who along with Patidars and Dalits, have been demanding protection of their rights in the past one year.
Apart from Shah, the meetings are likely to see presence of union ministers like Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari, as well as state and national party leaders including Saroj Pandey, Bhikhubhai Dalsania and Vijay Rupani, among others.
