Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel to be replaced?

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel may be on her way out, if sources in the state BJP are to be believed.Anandiben Patel had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Monday on the sidelines of a meeting to discuss the drought situation in the state.Her decision to cancel all her scheduled programmes over the next three days has fuelled rumours that she may step down.The chief minister also avoided attending the co-ordination meeting of the Gujarat MPs at the party headquarters even though she had returned to Gandhinagar by noon.Though the state BJP is officially denying the change, top leaders have already said that the decision about her replacement will be taken any time this week.Bharat Pandya, Gujarat BJP spokesperson claimed that,"these talks (of replacement of Anandiben) are all rumours.There will be no change in the leadership."Speculations over her successor have already started.Senior minister Nitin Patel, Vijay Rupani, party president, Purshotam Rupala , national vice-president, Bhikhu Dalsaniya senior-most party general secretary are in the race.