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This is an archive article published on November 13, 2007

Keshubhai146;s son likely to fight polls on BJP ticket

The BJP is set to field Bharat Patel, son of former chief minister Keshubhai Patel from Gujarat8217;s Visavdar Assembly constituency...

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The BJP is set to field Bharat Patel, son of former chief minister Keshubhai Patel from Gujarat8217;s Visavdar Assembly constituency, sources disclosed here on Tuesday.

This is sure to dampen the spirit of the Congress-camp which had hoped that Bharat, by contesting as an Independent, would send a clear signal to the Patel community that Keshubhai8217;s family has given up on the BJP. The elder Patel has already made it clear that he would not campaign for the BJP, though he would not leave the party, having been associated with the Sangh Parivar for decades. Keshubhai is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Keshubhai has represented Visavdar twice. It is located in Junagadh district of Saurashtra, his stronghold.

The former Chief Minister is currently in Delhi. According to senior BJP leaders who are in touch with him, Keshubhai has softened a great deal. Regarding his involvement in the distribution of party tickets, a senior leader pointed out that he would definitely have a role given the fact that he is a member of the central election committee. However, sources say, Keshubhai feels that his being on the committee would serve no purpose because the high command is inclined to endorse whatever Chief Minister Narendra Modi recommends. Sources said efforts are on to allay Keshubhai8217;s fears on this count too.

The dissident camp, however, continues to insist that there is no deal between Keshubhai and the BJP leadership. Sources close to dissidents admitted that Bharat is likely to contest on a BJP ticket but claimed that Keshubhai was trying to persuade him to fight as an Independent.

 

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