Gandhinagar: Narendra Modi confidante Anandiben Patel on today took oath as Gujarat Chief Minister, a day after she was unanimously elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party. Patel is the first woman chief minister of Gujarat.
Senior BJP leaders including party president Rajnath Singh, LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Arun Jaitley were present at the ceremony held at Mahatma Mandir convention centre here. Modi quit as CM yesterday after leading the BJP to a stunning victory in the General Election. He is to be sworn in as India’s next prime minister on Monday.
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh on today morning congratulated Patel on microblogging website Twitter. On Wednesday, teacher-turned-politician Patel, 73, promised to carry forward the glorious traditions set by Modi and leave no stone unturned for the development of the state.
Addressing members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Legislature Party after her elevation, Patel said she would live up to the expectations of the party and people in her new role as chief minister.
“I shall not betray the trust imposed in me by the party and people of the state, there shall be no let up in the progress of Gujarat, a teary-eyed Patel said in her acceptance speech in chaste Gujarati at the Town Hall here.
Paying rich tributes to Modi, Patel said Modi ensured tremendous progress of the state during his reign and she would take it further. Congratulating Patel, Modi lauded her teaching skills and leadership abilities both as a minister and a party worker.
Bureau Report
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