Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's resignation has been accepted by the Parliamentary board of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu confirmed on Wednesday. On Monday, Patel announced her decision to step down, saying someone younger should take on the job. She will turn 75 in November 2016. However, commentators suspect her decision had something to do with two major protests in the state, the Patidar agitation for quotas, and the demonstrations by Dalits across the state after four tanners were beaten up by cow vigilantes in Una.

Amid speculation about who will helm the government in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state, Naidu rubbished rumours that party President Amit Shah was being considered for the job. "The party wants him to lead us in national politics," the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said. Senior leaders of the ruling party are scheduled to meet on Wednesday to take a call on who will be the next chief minister of the state, reported NDTV.