Anandiben Patel offered to resign as Gujarat Chief Minister on Monday. (PTI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday said his Gujarat counterpart Anandiben Patel's decision to step down was a "sacrifice" made by her to make way for the young generation.
"To give opportunity to young generation to come in and work, Anandiben has made a big sacrifice," Mr Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Raipur on Tuesday.
Anandiben Patel offered to resign as Gujarat Chief Minister on Monday, requesting the BJP leadership to relieve her from the post as she will soon turn 75.
"Age 75 in itself is an indication that the new generation should be given an opportunity," Mr Singh added.
He also said that he wanted to congratulate Anandiben, who being a chief minister, has tried to set a "high example" through this move. "Everybody should follow this in their life. We will also do the same amount of work according to it," he added.
The 63-year-old Ayurvedic doctor-turned-politician, Raman Singh, assumed the chief ministerial office in 2003 in Chhattisgarh and has now become the longest-serving BJP chief minister of a state in the country.
Besides, having completed more than 12 years and 230 days last week at the helm of the Chhattisgarh government, Mr Singh has also become the 11th longest-serving Chief Minister in the country.