Anandiben Patel appointed as Madhya Pradesh Governor

The Centre announced former chief minister Anandiben Patel as Governor of Madhya Pradesh on Friday. While Patel has yet to receive an official communication on the matter, a leader close to her said she would accept the assigment.

The leader close to Patel said on condition of anonymity, "Ben will accept this assignment. She has not received an official letter of appointment from the central government, but she is expected to join the office of Madhya Pradesh governor next week."

Patel had resigned as chief minister on July 31, 2016, citing the age factor. It was believed that the senior BJP leader, known as Ben (sister) among the political circle, would land a ministerial berth in the next cabinet reshuffle at the Centre, after she is elected as a Rajya Sabha member.

According to some party sources, Anandiben's new assignment is to keep her away from the Gujarat political scene.