Keshu loyalists brush up Modi-ouster plan

Undeterred by chief Venkaiah Naidu’s remark that there was no plan to change the leadership in Gujarat, members of the anti-Modi camp m...

Undeterred by chief Venkaiah Naidu’s remark that there was no plan to change the leadership in Gujarat, members of the anti-Modi camp met at former chief minister Keshubhai Patel’s residence here on Tuesday.

They reportedly discussed a strategy to take up the issue of Narendra Modi’s ouster on the sidelines of the party’s three-day national executive in Mumbai, beginning June 22.

The dissidents included former Union Minister Kashiram Rana, BJP Rajya Sabha member A.K. Patel and former MP K.D. Jeswani. The meeting lasted for over an hour. Earlier in the day, former CM Suresh Mehta had a one-to-one with Keshubhai.

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After today’s meeting, a close confidante of Keshubhai told the Express that Keshubhai, Kashiram Rana and state BJP chief Rajendrasinh Rana are on the national executive from Gujarat, and will try to convince the central leadership to discuss the issue of leadership change. ‘‘The earlier the issue is resolved, the better, to end the crisis gripping the state unit,’’ he added.

He said the state leaders have already apprised the high-command of the resentment brewing among the MLAs and cadre against Modi’s style of functioning. ‘‘Modi’s removal appears inevitable following Atalji’s remarks in Manali,’’ said another rebel.