The Hindu : Front Page : High command action against rebels confirms Modi’s clout

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 22, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

High command action against rebels confirms Modi’s clout

Manas Dasgupta

Move against Keshubhai could lead to vertical split in Gujarat; “anti-party” activities cited

‘Action came as no surprise to anyone in Gujarat BJP’
Mr. Modi had reportedly threatened not to take the oath of office

Keshubhai Patel

GANDHINAGAR: The disciplinary action taken by the BJP high command against senior leaders in Gujarat has only confirmed the allegations of rebels that the central leadership has “totally surrendered” to Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Reliable party sources said though the steps did not surprise anyone in the BJP, the suspension notice issued to the former Chief Minister and senior-most leader in the State, Keshubhai Patel, could vertically split the BJP in Gujarat.

Though Mr. Patel, and the former Union Textile Minister, Kashiram Rana, who had been issued show-cause notices, did not openly canvass for the Congress in the Assembly elections, they did share the dais with some Congress leaders on a couple of occasions where anti-Modi speeches were freely delivered.

The two other BJP Members of Parliament, Vallabh Kathiriya and Somabhai Patel, who have been suspended from the party, gave a call to voters from the Sardar Patel Utkarsha Samiti platform to vote for the Congress to defeat “Mr. Modi’s BJP.” The other senior leader and also former Chief Minister, Suresh Mehta, who negotiated with the Congress accommodation in its list of candidates, quit the party on December 8.

Shocking, says Mehta

Mr. Mehta said it was shocking that Mr. Patel who till recently was described as the party’s “guiding light” in the State, became an “evil force” for the party just because he was opposed to Mr. Modi’s style of functioning. He said the high command had “apparently decided to finish off the party in Gujarat and the action taken on Friday is possibly the beginning of the end for the party.”

Mr. Keshubhai Patel, who was away from Gandhinagar for a family gathering, was not immediately available for his comment but sources close to him said the former Chief Minister would not react until he received the show-cause notice.

In a similar reaction, Mr. Rana said he had come to know about the notice from television channels and would give his comments only after he received and studied it.

He regretted that the party did not consult him and other leaders. Mr. Rana said he would consult Mr. Patel and other rebel leaders.

The State BJP spokesman, Vijay Rupani, said the action against the four should have come much earlier for the open “anti-party activities” of the rebels.

Kashiram Rana

Mr. Modi had been insisting on high command taking action against the rebel leaders at the earliest. While about 10 rebel members of the Assembly were suspended, the central leadership resisted taking any action against the four MPs apprehending that it could adversely affect the party’s poll prospects.

Modi insistent

Mr. Modi, however, during his two-day visit to Delhi from Wednesday to attend the Chief Ministers’ conference, reportedly took up the matter with the high command, insisting that action be taken against the rebels before the election results were declared on Sunday.

He had also reportedly said he would not take oath in the event of the BJP winning a clear majority, if action was not taken against the rebel leaders by then.

Though the Sardar Patel Utkarsha Samiti was formed by the rebel leaders earlier this year to mobilise all anti-Modi forces, including the Congress, Mr. Patel never openly participated in its activities but did not keep his dislike for Mr. Modi a secret.

He refused to cast his vote in the Assembly elections as he did not want to vote for Mr. Modi’s candidates but voting for the Congress would be against his conscience as he continued to be a member of the BJP.

Being MPs, the four leaders facing action decided against quitting the party on their own as it would attract the anti-defection Act and they would be forced to give up their Parliament membership.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page