Discontent brews in BJP

Addressing mediapersons at his official residence here this evening, Mehta said though it was the Chief Minister8217;s prerogative to expand his ministry and reallocate portfolios, the induction of the three former BJP ministers in the Cabinet could have further strengthened the administration.

Earlier, Mehta was closeted with State BJP general secretary and RSS leader Sanjay Joshi. Joshi8217;s meeting with Mehta assumes significance in view of the latter having resented the non-inclusion of his supporters Rupala, Jadeja and Patel in the expanded ministry. The RSS leader apparently visited Mehta to pacify him. quot;Sanjaybhai is a good friend of mine and he has come here to have a cup of tea with mequot;, Mehta told curious mediapersons.

When contacted, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Fakirbhai Vaghela also said that senior members like Rupala and Jadeja and Patel should have found place in the expanded ministry, as they had long experience of being ministers in the previous BJP regime. Talking to newspersons at his residence, the Chief Minister admitted that he had not consulted Suresh Mehta on the Cabinet expansion and the reshuffle of portfolios, saying, quot;I had only informed Sureshbhai about thisquot;. He denied reports that there was any dissidence in the party8217;s legislative wing. quot;I appreciate Sureshbhai8217;s feeling, but he could have talked to mequot;, he said.

When asked, Keshubhai dismissed as quot;rumoursquot; reports about as many as 60 BJP legislators having shot off a joint signed letter to party supremo Kushabhao Thakre, demanding change in the State leadership in view of the coming Lok Sabha elections. Quoting Sanjay Joshi as having talked to Thakre, Patel said the BJP chief had also denied having received such a letter from the MLAs.

He denied Yatin Oza8217;s charge that there was corruption in the purchase of onions, saying, quot;Where is the question of corruption when there is no any such purchase made by the governmentquot;. Responding to a query, the Chief Minister said it was upto the party leadership to initiate disciplinary action against the Sabarmati MLA.

Suresh Mehta claimed that there was no crisis in the government over the issue of Cabinet expansion, and that the party would sweep the coming LS polls in the State. He maintained that he had at no stage demanded that his supporters be accommodated.