The Hindu : National : Two Gujarat BJP MLAs join rebel camp

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Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007
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Two Gujarat BJP MLAs join rebel camp

Manas Dasgupta

They take part in a convention with suspended MLAs

GANDHINAGAR: In an act of open defiance, two BJP members of the Gujarat Assembly joined the rebel platform on Tuesday, challenging the leadership of Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Narendra Jadeja and Gopal Dhua from Kutch district on Tuesday appeared on the “Sardar Patel Utkarsha Samiti” platform along with the five MLAs suspended on Monday at Visavadar in Junagadh district.

The five MLAs, Dhirubhai Gajera, Gordhan Jhadafiya, Bechardas Bhadani, Bavkubhai Unghad and Balubhai Tanti, had organised meetings under the aegis of the Samiti to mobilise the land-owning farmers against the Modi administration.

Mr. Jadeja and Mr. Dhua lambasted Mr. Modi for his “autocratic attitude” and termed his government one of the most corrupt administrations.

Modi meets Keshubhai

Amid the development, Mr. Modi on Tuesday called on the former Chief Minister, Keshubhai Patel, on the occasion of the latter’s 78th birthday.

Mr. Modi declined to make any comment on the visit and Mr. Patel too refused to read much behind the move. He claimed it was merely a courtesy call.

Mr. Patel himself was due to attend the Visavadar convention, which was convened on the occasion of his birthday at his former Assembly constituency.

State BJP spokesman Vijay Rupani said the action of Mr. Jadeja and Mr. Dhua was no surprise for the party as they were known supporters of another former Chief Minister and dissident leader, Suresh Mehta.

Mr. Rupani claimed that most of the Samiti conventions were attended by the Congress workers and the BJP rank and file was not with the dissident leaders.

The overt dissident activity ahead of the December Assembly elections has encouraged the Congress to invite the rebels to join the party.

A State party spokesman said if the dissidents were ready to join the Congress, the party would “seriously consider” their plea.

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