Senior BJP leader Bhupendra Patel -- known to be a protege of former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel -- will succeed Vijay Rupani as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. While he was elected the leader of the legislature party after a meeting, it is believed that the he was the choice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah.
Mr Rupani, who was present on the occasion, endorsed the new Chief Minister, saying the party will "successfully contest the polls" under his leadership. Elections in Gujarat are due next year.
Mr Patel, the MLA from Ghatlodia seat, held earlier by Anandiben Patel, appeared a surprise candidate for the post. The new Chief Minister will be sworn-in this afternoon.
Ahead of the legislature party meeting, the names of two Union Ministers from Gujarat -- Mansukh Mandaviya and Parshottam Rupala -- the controversial Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel, and state agriculture minister RC Faldu were doing the rounds.
Mr Patel was the part of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority.
But his replacement indicates that electoral arithmetic had a key role in the move. The Patidar community, one of the politically crucial groups in the state, has been upset with the BJP and have been demanding that a member of the community be picked for the top post.
Mr Rupani was the fourth Chief Minister to be replaced in the BJP ruled states so far this year.
The list includes BS Yediyurappa in Karnataka who was replaced in July. In Uttarakhand, Tirath Singh Rawat quit in July -- barely four months after replacing Trivendra Rawat.
In Gujarat, Mr Rupani was installed in 2016 – 16 months ahead of elections – after the removal of Anandiben Patel.
Three Accused In Rajkot Game Zone Fire Sent To 14-Day Police Remand KL Rahul Ignored In Rohit Sharma-Led India Squad For T20 World Cup. Hardik Pandya To Be Vice-Captain, Yuzvendra Chahal Included India's Probable T20 World Cup Squad After 4 Weeks Of IPL 2024: Huge Contest For Back-up Opener, 3rd Spinner BJP Plans UP Overhaul After Lok Sabha Poll Drubbing: Sources In Massive Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post FMGE 2024: Results Out For Foreign Medical Graduates Examination Mercedes-Benz Wishbox Campaign Launched, Aimed To Reinforce Accessibility All You Need To Know About New UK Government's Key Policy Plans Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.