The BJP Legislature Party in Gujarat will meet here on May 21 to elect its new leader to replace Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is all set to be the country's next Prime Minister.
The party's central leadership has appointed senior leader Thavar Chand Gehlot as its central observer along with Gujarat state party in-charge Om Mathur, who would also be present at the meeting of BJP MLAs, where names for the post of chief minister will be discussed, BJP office bearers said today.
Those in the race for the top post include senior minister Anandi Patel, BJP General Secretary Amit Shah, ministers Nitin Patel and Saurabh Patel, besides BJP General Secretary Bhikubhai Dalsania.
Party sources, however, said Modi would have the last word on who would replace him.
Meanwhile, a special session of the state Assembly will be held on May 21 to bid farewell to Modi, who is expected to tender his resignation as chief minister soon after attending the session.
Modi became the chief minister for the first time on October 7, 2001 and won three consecutive terms.
He is also scheduled to address a rally on May 20 in Maninagar, his assembly constituency.
