Surprise, surprise!

It is no secret that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi doesn’t get along with most leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the state. Senior leaders of the VHP, who had joined hands with a section of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to oust Modi from Gujarat, and instead supported Keshubhai Patel to become the chief minister, had a rude shock when the Assembly results were announced. Modi managed to secure two-third majority and made a comeback for the third time. Senior VHP leaders couldn’t do much but issue statements to congratulate Modi on his victory. The first among them was senior leader Ashok Singhal. Others in the party, including Praveen Togadia, chose to remain quiet.