It is now being widely reported that Vijay Rupani's days were numbered since his government mishandled the second wave of the Covid-19.

This is what we are made to believe now following his surprise resignation as the Gujarat Chief Minister on Saturday. 

But didn't the entire BJP leadership praise him for efficiently handling the second wave. 

One such example is a meeting Gujarat in-charge Bhupendra Yadav held with BJP legislators in Ahmedabad on June 15 in which his efforts were lauded.

A resolution acknowledging the government’s work and thanking Rupani and his deputy Nitin Patel for the work done during the second wave of Covid-19 and cyclone was passed in the same meeting.

Prior to that, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat had praised the state government for bringing coronavirus under control due to its timely steps as compared to other states.

And finally on August 7, Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a virtual speech to mark the completion of Rupani's five years in office, also celebrated as 'Vikas Divas'Divas' and he too lavished praise on the Chief Minister. 

Shah said the people of Gujarat fought against the pandemic well under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Rupani and Patel, and with the unforgettable contribution of BJP workers.

“I am proud that Narendrabhai started a system in Gujarat where even after he went, the development work continued, and Vijaybhai  and Nitinbhai added momentum to that. They have ensured peace, safety in Gujarat and are working for all-around development,” he said.

This clean chit and lavish praise came despite the Opposition parties having repeatedly attacked Rupani for mishandling the Covid-19 situation in Gujarat.

They had cited reports of the medical infrastructure having crumbled in the second wave that resulted in large-scale death and destruction in the state where the BJP has been in power for over 20 years.

Gujarat government had also been accused of hiding death toll figures, with Opposition quoting reports and pictures from overwhelmed crematoria.

So, what happened between August 7 and September 11? 

Observers say the BJP leadership had received a feedback that the party could suffer badly in the 2022 assembly polls with Rupani as the Chief Minister.