Former CM Mehta quits BJP

Stating that the BJP brass has "surrendered" before the whims and fancies of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, veteran BJP leader Suresh Mehta today quit the party.

Mehta sent his resignation to Gujarat BJP President Purshottam Rupala.

Announcing his resignation, Mehta said, "I am quitting the house (the BJP) that I help build into a palace because it is no more suited for my stay".

"When I saw the entire party surrendering before one person (Narendra Modi), I thought it was best to quit," said the former chief minister. When asked what his next step would be, Mehta said, "I will continue to campaign in this election to prevent Modi from returning to power."

Mehta accused Modi and senior party leader LK Advani of destroying democracy within the party. He also shared some of the happenings of 2001, when the BJP suddenly removed Keshubhai Patel as chief minister and appointed Modi in his place.

"There were 117 BJP MLAs in the state legislature then," Mehta said. "None of these MLAs were consulted before the then BJP president LK Advani removed Keshubhai and appointed Modi in his place".

"This approach of the party hurt us then, but we choose to remain quiet in the larger interests of the party," he said.

Mehta said the decision to appoint Modi as chief minister was imposed on them. "This decision (taken in 2001) has today become a liability for my party," he said.

Mehta held Advani responsible for the current crisis in the state BJP. He said it was Advani who blindly supported Modi without worrying for the party's principles. "Advani held a tight leash over me when I was chief minister but gave a free hand to Modi," he said while questioning the "double standards" adopted by Advani.

"By surrendering to an autocratic individual (Modi), the party has committed suicide", Mehta remarked.

Mehta predicted that Congress would come to power in the coming elections. "The Congress will win 111 seats," he said.