Must appreciate Vijay Rupani's courage to take on a 'sinking ship': Congress

Congratulating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit chief Vijay Rupani on being appointed as the next Gujarat Chief Minister, the Congress said that his decision to take on a 'sinking ship' was quite courageous.

"Congratulate Shri Vijay Rupani on becoming CM Gujarat. Must appreciate his courage for agreeing to steer a sinking ship. Best wishes," Congress leader Ahmed Patel said in a series of tweets.

Meanwhile, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for reposing faith in him, Rupani asserted that his team is fully committed to harnessing aspirations of the poor, marginalised, farmers and youngsters.

"Humbled and honoured at the opportunity to serve the state of Gujarat and work for the welfare & all round development of the state. I thank PM Narendra Modi & BJP president Amit Shah for reposing faith in a humble karyakarta like me & giving me this opportunity," Rupani said in a series of tweets.

He also thanked the leadership of his predecessor Anandiben Patel saying that she had led Gujarat and enriched the development journey of the state.

"Team Gujarat is fully committed to harnessing aspirations of the poor, marginalised, farmers & youngsters in the efforts for #TransformingIndia," he added.

Yesterday, in a crucial meeting attended by Amit Shah and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at the party headquarters in the state, the decision to make Rupani as the next Chief Minister was announced.

Gujarat's health minister Nitin Patel was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister.

The decision comes as a major twist as Patel was the frontrunner for the post after Rupani had bowed out from the race, saying he would like to work for the party.

The BJP central leadership had already made it clear that a state MLA would be assigned the job.

Anandiben Patel had tendered her resignation to the Governor on Wednesday.

Governor O.P. Kohli has asked her to continue as the care taker chief minster till the alternate arrangement.

Patel, who took charge as Gujarat's first woman chief minister after Narendra Modi took charge as the Prime Minister, citing age issues had in her Facebook post earlier urged the BJP to relieve her from the coveted post.

Patel said that she had two months earlier sought to resign from the party to give "enough time to the new incumbent to prepare for important events like the upcoming 'Vibrant Gujarat Summit'.

Her government was criticised for its handling of the outrage created by the public flogging of four Dalit men by self-styled cow protection groups.