The Hindu : National : Anti-Modi ad cancelled at last minute

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Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007
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Anti-Modi ad cancelled at last minute

Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD: A move by anti-Narendra Modi forces to issue advertisements in vernacular newspapers in Gujarat containing an appeal by the former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel for a “change” was cancelled at the last moment on Monday.

Space was “booked” in advance for the advertisements but what was issued at the last moment was an appeal by the Gujarat Khedut Samaj, a pro-Congress farmers’ organisation, to vote out the Modi government.

Sensation in BJP camp

The booking of ad space had created a sensation in the BJP camp, which realised that Mr. Patel’s direct appeal to the farmers for a change in the State leadership could damage the party’s prospects in the Saurashtra region, where all constituencies go to the polls on Tuesday.

Mr. Patel wields considerable influence among agriculturists in the region, particularly “Leuva Patel” farmers, who have traditionally been supporting the BJP but are against the ruling party now, because of Mr. Patel’s differences with Mr. Modi and the recent raids by Electricity Board officials against farmers for alleged power theft.

State BJP leaders reportedly contacted the high command to prevail upon the veteran leader to desist from issuing any direct appeal.

Sex video

Meanwhile, a sex video allegedly involving a senior State Congress leader is doing the rounds.

The compact discs were claimed to be sent from Andheri in Mumbai with an open letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi questioning her leadership for keeping “such sex maniacs” in the party.

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