Gujarat's Chief Minister elect Vijay Rupani is close to both BJP chief Amit Shah and PM Modi.
Vijay Rupani will take oath as Gujarat's Chief Minister at noon on Sunday at Gandhinagar's massive Mahatma Mandir convention hall. Today, he will meet the state governor.
Mr Rupani, 61,was named by the BJP to succeed Anandiben Patel as the state's next chief minister on Saturday evening in what was seen as a twist in the tale. Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who made a two-line announcement after two meetings, saying the state would also get a Deputy Chief Minister in Nitin Patel, who was widely tipped to be picked for the top spot and had spent Friday morning in interviews on the road ahead for Gujarat.
Mr Rupani met governor Governor OP Kohli to stake claim to form Government.
The decision was made at a stormy one-hour long meeting of five top leaders including BJP chief Amit Shah, where, sources said, Anandiben Patel rooted for Nitin Patel, insisting that a Patel or Patidaar leader be picked ahead of assembly elections to placate the community, a loyal support base now angry with the BJP government for its handling of its demand for reservation in government jobs and colleges.
Anandiben has been known to have a fractious relationship with Amit Shah (PTI photo)
Amit Shah supported Mr Rupani, pointing out that the party needs a leader with strong organisational skills ahead of elections. He also said a large section of the party was in favour of Mr Rupani being named chief minister.
As tempers rose, sources said, Anandiben accused Mr Shah and Mr Rupani, who is the state party chief, of "sabotaging" her government.
Anandiben, who had resigned earlier this week citing the party practice of retiring leaders over 75, has been known to have a fractious relationship with Amit Shah, who too belongs to Gujarat.
At the meeting, also attended by Mr Gadkari and senior party leaders V Satish and Dinesh Sharma, Mr Shah stated firmly that Vijay Rupani was the final choice, before they all headed for a meeting with party lawmakers, where Mr Rupani was formally elected their leader.
The BJP has denied any disagreement between Mr Shah and Anandiben. ''There was no disagreement. Anandiben proposed the name of Rupani as the Chief Minister and Nitin Patel as the Deputy Chief Minister,'' said Mr Gadkari.
Nitin Patel offered no comment after the announcement.