Gujarat: New BJP government may take oath on December 25

The new BJP government in Gujarat is likely to be sworn in on December 25, party sources said on Tuesday amid speculation that a new leader could be chosen to helm the state where it secured a narrow victory in the Assembly polls.

BJP president Amit Shah had announced during the campaign that the party was fighting elections under Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and his deputy Nitin Patel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was, however, the face of the party in the keenly contested elections.

"Due to the thin margin of victory this time, the party leadership may think of changing the chief minister," sources said.

Modi and the central parliamentary board of the party will take the final call, they said.

Asked who will be the next chief minister, Rupani told reporters, "The BJP fought this election in Gujarat with my face. But the final decision will be taken by the party's parliamentary board."

BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly, securing seven seats more than the 92 needed for a simple majority, while the Congress and its allies won 80.

December 25 is the likely date for the swearing-in as it is the birthday of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, sources said.

After the 2012 elections, Narendra Modi had taken oath of office for the fourth time on December 25.

The state's chief secretary, J N Singh, inspected the Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad, the likely venue of the ceremony, on Tuesday. "We have come here to inspect the stadium as the oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held here," Singh told reporters.

He, however, said the team will also inspect other venues like Mahatma Mandir and Sabarmati Riverfront, which has been the showpiece of the BJP's development politics. Modi had personally escorted Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, besides Japanese premier Shinzo Abe and his spouse to the Sabarmati Riverfront.

Sources in the BJP said Modi, party chief Amit Shah as also chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

"After the election victory, there is a process. Observers will come from Delhi and preside over the meeting of newly elected MLAs to decide on the chief minister. After the meeting, the newly elected chief minister will stake claim to form government and the oath-taking ceremony will be held," state BJP spokesperson Jagdish Bhavsar said.

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On Monday, the BJP had announced that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and party general secretary Saroj Pandey will be the observers for the selection of the new Gujarat chief minister.

Observers are likely to visit Gujarat after December 21 to elect the new leader, party sources said.