GANDHINAGAR: Anandiben Patel, a close Narendra Modi associate, was today sworn-in as first woman chief minister of Gujarat.

73-year-old Ms Patel, who was revenue, urban development and disaster management minister in the Modi cabinet, was administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor Kamla Beniwal.

Along with Ms Patel, six ministers of cabinet rank and 14 ministers of state were also sworn-in at a ceremony attended by a galaxy of top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi, BJP president Rajnath Singh and party patriarch L. K. Advani.

Ms Patel was elected leader of Gujarat BJP Legislature Party yesterday after Mr Modi’s resignation as chief minister following a 12-year stint.

By arrangement with The Statesman/ANN

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2014