Vijay Rupani takes oath as Gujarat CM ; 20-member new council

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, other party stalwarts, including L K Advani  and  Chief Ministers of the  BJP-ruled states attended the grand ceremony.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was also present.

Rupani, 61, and his deputy Nitin Patel were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor O P Kohli at a glittering programme.

The other ministers, who also took oath are : Nitinkumar Ratilal Patel, Bhupendrasinh Manubha Chudasama, Ranchhodbhai Chanabhai Faidu, Kaushikbhai Jamanadas Patel, Saurabh Patel, Vasava Ganpatsinh Vestabhai, Radadiya Jayeshbhai Vittalbhai, Dilipkumar Viraji Thakor, Ishwarbhai Ramabhai Parmer (all cabinet rank), Pradipsinh Bhagvatsinh Jadeja, Patel Parbatbhai Savabhai, Jaydrathsinhji Parmer, Patkar Ramanlal Nanubhai, Parsottambhai Odhavjibhai Solanki, Ishwarsinh Thakorbhai Patel, Ahiur Vasanbhai Gopalbhai, Kishor Kanani (Kumar), Khabad Bachubhai Maganbhai and  Dave Vaibhavari (all ministers of state).

Rupani and Nitin Patel were elected as the leader and deputy leader, respectively, of the BJP legislature party at its meeting on December 22.

BJP retained power in the state for the sixth consecutive term by winning the recently held Assembly polls. The saffron party won the election for 182-member state assembly, claiming a clear majority of 99 seats.

The Congress Party finished second with 77 seats, followed by the Bharatiya Tribal Party (two) and NCP (one), while independent candidates won three seats.