Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who has stepped down from his post, said on Saturday that he had submitted his resignation on Friday itself, but he was told to submit the papers on Saturday morning instead. However, political sources reveal that he was instructed to resign 10 days ago.

It has now come to the fore that Rupani was asked to resign only after the Jain Paryushan (Jain religious festival) concluded on Friday. As instructed, he submitted the papers on Saturday. Sources further said that this was planned well in advance, and was not an impromptu decision. It may be recalled that on Saturday morning, Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Parshotam Rupala and BJP Gujarat President SR Patil were present at the Sardardham Bhavan inauguration ceremony.