section_path: Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021)
section_name: Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021)
paragraph_text: Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021)
  
  On 7 August 2016, Rupani was appointed chief minister of Gujarat by the leadership of the BJP, following the resignation of Anandiben Patel. Rupani led the BJP in the 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election, in which the party retained power and he continued as chief minister. The BJP's election campaign was characterised by prominent usage of Hindutva themes and Islamophobic rhetoric. In March 2021, The Indian Express included Rupani in its list of the 100 most powerful people in India.
  
  Rupani faced intense criticism for his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Gujarat emerging as one of India's most severely affected states. In April 2021, the Gujarat High Court remarked that his government's response to the crisis was "not satisfactory and not transparent." On 11 September 2021, Rupani resigned from the post of chief minister. He was succeeded by Bhupendra Patel, who subsequently led the BJP to a landslide victory in the 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election.
  
  Rupani was often characterised by political commentators as a low-profile and obedient figure, with some describing his tenure as that of a 'proxy' or ' rubber-stamp ' chief minister. His administration largely continued the policies and governance style of preceding BJP-led governments in the state.
  
  On 7 August 2016, Rupani was appointed chief minister of Gujarat by the leadership of the BJP, following the resignation of Anandiben Patel. Rupani led the BJP in the 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election, in which the party retained power and he continued as chief minister. The BJP's election campaign was characterised by prominent usage of Hindutva themes and Islamophobic rhetoric. In March 2021, The Indian Express included Rupani in its list of the 100 most powerful people in India.
  
  Rupani faced intense criticism for his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Gujarat emerging as one of India's most severely affected states. In April 2021, the Gujarat High Court remarked that his government's response to the crisis was "not satisfactory and not transparent." On 11 September 2021, Rupani resigned from the post of chief minister. He was succeeded by Bhupendra Patel, who subsequently led the BJP to a landslide victory in the 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election.
  
  Rupani was often characterised by political commentators as a low-profile and obedient figure, with some describing his tenure as that of a 'proxy' or ' rubber-stamp ' chief minister. His administration largely continued the policies and governance style of preceding BJP-led governments in the state.