In an unexpected move, Gujrat CM Vijay Rupani resigned for his post on Saturday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state Gujrat to go for assembly election late next year.

Before tendering his resignation, Rupani said it was his five-year journey for development of Gujarat under guidance of PM Modi and for the further development of the state he has decided to resign.

“It is well known that BJP, as a party, keeps changing as per requirements… it is a speciality of our party that every worker delivers his/her assigned job to the fullest, and I too will continue to work for the party with the same energy,” he added.

Rupani’s resignation was followed by that of his cabinet in a stunning twist that leaves the ruling BJP with three options – appoint a successor, allow the state to come under President’s Rule or have an Assembly election much earlier than scheduled.

In last July Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa resigned following resentment against him and his son, and unrelenting calls for his removal by a section of the party’s state unit.

Mansukh Mandaviya, who was added to the Union Ministry with Health portfolio in last July, and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel have been touted as possible replacements for Rupani.

Rupani, 61, was sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister in December 2017.