New chief minister for Gujarat

The state is battling to recover from the huge quake

The general-secretary of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Narendra Modi, has been named the new chief minister of the western state of Gujarat.

Narendra Modi (left) has been BJP general-secretary for six years

More than 100 BJP legislators passed a unanimous resolution endorsing Mr Modi's succession to Keshubhai Patel, who stepped down earlier this week.

Mr Patel's resignation followed widespread criticism of his handling of the rehabilitation of the state following the devastating earthquake in January.

He has also taken the blame for a disastrous showing in two recent provincial by-elections for the BJP, led by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Swearing-in

Mr Modi, who has served as BJP general-secretary for the past six years, will be sworn in as the new chief minister on Sunday.

Party leaders said the 51-year-old was chosen for his dynamic personality and relative youth.

Mr Patel is reportedly strongly opposed to the new appointment.

Gujarat is still struggling to rebuild after the catastrophic quake struck on 26 January, killing as many 25,000 people.

More than one million people were left homeless.