‘BJP may win, war with Modi on’

Former CM Keshubhai Patel is looking forward to the post-poll scenario after results are announced on December 23 to chalk out his course of action.

The elections in Gujarat may be over but Narendra Modi’s bete noire Keshubhai Patel is in no mood to end his battle with his predecessor. He is looking forward to the post-poll scenario after results are announced on December 23 to chalk out his course of action.

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The former chief minister, who was replaced by Modi six years ago, told Sunday Indian newsmagazine in an interview that the BJP may win the polls but his battle would continue as he remained a party worker.

Many BJP leaders may think I am irrelevant, Patel said, but “people do feel that the democratic system has failed. One man is ruling the entire state. He does not listen to other MLAs or party workers. MLAs in the party are not even allowed to speak”.

Dismissing the charge that his battle with Modi was a clash of egos, Patel said: “Let me tell you clearly that I'm not an egoist. Just turn the pages of history. If it really were an ego problem then why would I have given up the post of chief minister? And not once, but twice. And I did so whenever my party asked me to do so.”

Complaint against CM

A complaint has been filed against Narendra Modi for violating the code of conduct on Sunday, in the second phase of polling. Modi had made a speech at a polling station here saying the BJP would get a historic victory this time. The speech was telecast by national and local television channels on Sunday. Senior advocate Krishna Kant Vekhariya, who filed the complaint on behalf of the state Congress, said making such speeches at the polling station is in violation of the code.