Mr Patel, who completed three-and-a-half years in office today, drove to Raj Bhavan here and submitted his resignation to the Governor following the directive of the BJP high command. Thereafter, both Mr Bhandari and Mr Patel emerged smiling but declined to talk to waiting mediapersons.

Meanwhile, Mr Patel today agreed to support party General Secretary Narendra Modi as his successor bringing to an end the race that began over the weekend.

Mr Patel, who was fiercely opposed to Mr Modi as his successor after being asked to quit in the wake of byelection defeats, agreed to propose the latter’s name at the BJP Legislature Party meeting here tomorrow convened for electing the new leader.

“The party comes first, individuals come next. I will support Mr Modi as Chief Minister,” Mr Patel told reporters after discussions with Central party observers Kushabhau Thakre and Madan Lal Khurana who had come to ensure a smooth transition.

Mr Modi, a friend-turned-foe of the outgoing Chief Minister, was seen holding Mr Patel’s hands as if in gratitude after news was out that Mr Patel had been brought around.