Bhupendra Patel is the current chief minister of Gujarat who took over the role in September 2021. He has been representing the Ghatlodia constituency since 2017. He began his political career in municipal bodies before being elected as a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. As a senior BJP leader, Patel has held several positions in the past including, president of Memnagar Municipality in Ahmedabad, the standing committee chairman of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority. Before being appointed as the chief minister of the state, he never held any ministerial post. He is also considered a close confidant of former Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel. Born on July 15, 1962, Patel holds a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Government Polytechnic in Ahmedabad. He belongs to the Kadva sub-caste of the Patidar community and is also a trustee of Sardardham Vishwa Patidar Kendra.