Amit Shah not to be next CM: BJP

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) The BJP on Wednesday said its President Amit Shah will not succeed Anandiben Patel as the next Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu made the announcement after the Bharatiya Janata Party's Parliamentary Board meeting here.

Naidu said the next Chief Minister would be from among the MLAs in Gujarat.

"He (Amit Shah) is the party's national president and under his leadership the party has reached great heights," Naidu said.

"The party needs his leadership. The CM will be from the existing legislators," he told reporters.

Naidu, however, said Shah would attend the meeting of BJP MLAs in Gujarat on Thursday to decide the next Chief Minister. "He will chair the meeting and hold consultation with the stakeholders."

Former BJP president Nitin Gadkari and national general secretary Saroj Pandey would also attend the Gujarat meeting as central observers.

Anandiben Patel offered to resign as Chief Minister on Monday, citing her age as the reason. She will turn 75 in November.