BJP undecided on inviting Keshubhai to executive meet

Preparations are on in full swing on the Atmiya Institute campus run by the Swaminarayan sect and party sources said formal letters have been sent to the executive members,which is considered as invitation. The list of participants includes national leaders like Gujarat in-charge Balbir Punj and V Satish.

“It has not been decided yet whether to send a formal invite to Keshubhai,” said a senior party leader involved in preparations for the meet.

Considering that Modi had his way at the party’s national executive meet in Mumbai last month when he reportedly forced the exit of former Gujarat BJP general secretary Sanjay Joshi,a section of leaders is expecting that now Keshubhai would be kept away from the meet that will be held in his hometown.

“This is the first time when there is a clear sign that the party is now keeping him (Patel) out of its affairs,” a BJP leader told The Indian Express.

Keshubhai,according to party leaders,has not attended a single executive meet since Modi replaced him as CM in 2001,though he was invited on almost every occasion. Besides,this is the first time since Modi became CM that the meet is being held in Rojkot,where Keshubhai’s presence is crucial given the clout he has in the Saurashtra region.

“The fact that Keshubhai has stopped attending executive meets for long now is also a reason why the leaders are still mulling over whether to send him a formal invite,” said senior leader.

Party insiders said that after the recent attack launched by Keshubhai on Modi and his government,battle lines are clear ahead of the elections. “If Keshubhai accepts the invitation,it will turn the meet into a battlefield as the Patels siding with Keshubhai and Modi,respectively,don’t see eye to eye anymore,” said a leader.

They maintained that at the end of the Rajkot meet,loyalties of those on fringes will be clear. “Many members are unhappy with the style of functioning of Modi. But they know that they cannot rebel without the support of Keshubhai. The meet will reveal the strengths and weakness of both the groups,” added a source.

BJP spokesperson I K Jadeja said,“As part of our procedure,all the office-bearers are invited. We would not like to comment anything on Keshubhai as he is our senior leader.”

Senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Rupani said a meet of office-bearers will be held on Friday.

While Keshubhai could not be contacted,it has been learnt that the former CM has been invited to a public function organised by the MahaGujarat Janta Party and BJP dissidents in Panchmahals on Sunday.