Gujarat Assembly Election 2022: In a surprise move former Chief Minister and one of the top BJP leaders in the stat Vijay Rupani on Wednesday said he will not contest the upcoming state election.
Rupani, who served as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 for two terms, represents Rajkot West constituency.
On September 12, 2021, Rupani resigned from the CM post. Even though the real reason behind his resignation was unclear, reports suggested that his alleged differences with the party may have compelled him to step down as the CM.
However, in a conversation with India TV on September 15, 2021, Rupani said he received instructions from the party high command asking him to tender his resignation. Accepting the decision made by the party, Rupani said he thanked PM Modi and Amit Shah for giving him a chance to serve the people of Gujarat. Rupani's sudden resignation as Gujarat Chief Minister left many stunned.
Speaking further on the decision made by the party, Rupani said it is like a relay race, new leaders come one after the other. At first, there was Keshubhai, then Narendra bhai then came Anandiben, then me and now Bhupendra bhai has got a chance.
Responding to whether the decision to resign from the post of chief minister was easy for him, Vijay Rupani said as a party worker, they have a mentality that they are not standing on any post.
"I have resigned with my happiness. The decision to resign was very easy for me, we all workers do not work for power, I am active since 1973-74, power is only a means of service for us. Power is not everything, we do not work with this mindset."
Vijay Rupani's successor Bhupendra Patel is leading the BJP's campaign seeking a second term as CM of the state.
Also Read: Vijay Rupani opens up on why did he resign as Gujarat Chief Minister | Exclusive
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