Modi-baiters up the ante

Rebels meet Keshubhai to chart action

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's trouble with dissidence seems unending with rebel activity by anti-Modi, pro- Keshubhai Patel MLAs being stepped up again.

Matters came to a head on Monday when rebel MLAs in the state BJP, including Gordhan Zadafiya, who had recently been issued a show-cause notice, met senior leader Keshubhai Patel, a known Modi critic, at his house in Gandhinagar.

Zadafiya, former state party president, MP Rajendrasinh Rana and at least nine other MLAs went to Patel's house and 'enquired' about the health of his ailing wife Leelaben, who has returned from the US after being operated upon.

Though the MLAs downplayed their visit to the former chief minister's house and were not saying that it was a 'show of strength', sources revealed that they also took the opportunity to apprise Patel about the Zadafiya issue and the developments in the party during his US visit.

'It is the tabling of the Nanavati commission report which has given fillip to dissidence. The NDA allies' demand that Modi, like Tytler resign on moral grounds has bolstered the spirit of the rebels. , since Bihar elections are round the corner and the JD(U) is exerting pressure,' said a senior Gujarat MP.

'However after what the dissidents did when Advani was in trouble with the RSS, it is unlikely that they will receive a patient hearing from the party president,' he added. '

The dissidents' sole hope is the JD(U), which will mount pressure on the BJP over Modi's resignation before the Bihar polls,' said the MP.