Vijay Rupani on Saturday resigned as Chief Minister of Gujarat, a year before the state Assembly elections.

After tendering his resignation to Governor Acharya Devavrat, Rupani said he had willingly stepped down from the post after a decision in this regard was taken by the BJP in the “larger interest of Gujarat”.

Interacting with media persons outside Raj Bhavan after tendering his resignation, Rupani said, “With my resignation, the party’s new leadership will get an opportunity. And we will all take Gujarat to new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”