Anandiben Patel is new Gujarat CM

Senior Gujarat minister Anandiben Patel was Wednesday unanimously elected the leader of the BJP Legislature Party here, making her the chief minister designate to succeed Narendra Modi.

A teacher-turned-politician, Patel, 73, will be sworn in as the state's first woman chief minister Thursday.

Addressing BJP legislators, a teary eyed Patel promised to continue the "glorious traditions of her predecessor" Modi, who is set to take over as India's prime minister.