Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel submitted her resignation in the wake of the Dalit protests that has been ripping through the state for the past week. Posting a letter on her Facebook and Twitter pages, Anandiben said she had sought to resign two months back to give "enough time to the new incumbent to prepare for important events like the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat summit."
Gujarat's first female chief minister, Anandiben said, "For the last some time there has been a tradition in the party that those who attain the age of 75, voluntarily retires from the post. I will attain the age of 75 in November. I am asking the party to relieve me two months in advance as the new chief minister will require the time to work, when the state is going to face elections in 2017 and an important event like Vibrant Gujarat Summit to be held in January. It is a good thing and it will give a chance to young leaders to come up."
The CM's short term has been rather rough with the Patel quote protest burning up the state, and now the outrage following the beating up of four Dalit youths in Una. Several people, including Bharatiya Janta Party members reportedly demanded her oust after her "incompetent" handling of the Patel issue last year. Speculations were also aired after Najma Heptulla resigned following the 75 age bar clause set by PM Narendra Modi.
The state BJP government has had it tough in the last two years, and the on-going Dalit upheaval was most probably the final nail. Gujarat state elections are due at the end of 2017.
