Gov invites Modi to form new Gujarat govt

Gandhinagar, Dec 24: Gujarat Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma today invited Mr Narendra Modi to form the new government in the state in the wake of the BJP's victory in the Assembly Election.

State BJP President Purshottam Rupala met the Governor at Raj Bhavan this evening and handed over a letter which stated that Mr Modi had been elected the leader of the new BJP legislature party. The Governor invited 57-year-old Modi to form the next government. Mr Modi will be administered the oath of office and secrecy tomorrow by the Governor at a ceremony at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad at 1239 hrs--an auspicious time.

Mr Modi will assume charge as Chief Minister for the third time.

Earlier, Mr Modi was unanimously elected leader of the new BJP Legislature Party at a meeting held at the Town Hall here. His name was proposed by senior leader Vajubhai Vala and seconded by Mr Fakir Vaghela, Mr Mangubhai Patel and Ms Jyotsnaben Somani. All the BJP legislators approved his name by raising their hands.

UNI