Rebels at his heels, Modi rushes to book Atal’s support

Earlier, former home minister Gordhan Zadaphia had accused the government of spying on him. And Congress leader Arjun Modhavadia had dashed off a letter to the Centre, demanding a CBI probe into allegations by some MLAs that their phones were being tapped.

An IB official was present outside Gajera’s residence when he was talking to reporters on Tuesday. ‘‘Why should I be scared when I am not doing anything wrong?’’ said Gajera. He alleged that an official came to check everytime a visitor left his house.

While Gandhinagar SP R.B. Brahmbhatt denied special instructions being given, Home Minister Amit Shah and state IB chief J. Mahapatra could not be contacted. ‘‘Only a group of SRP personnel are deputed there throughout the year. Why would we spy on the MLAs?’’ Brahmbhatt said.

Many of the rebels were at Gajera’s Gandhinagar residence today. Some of them also met senior leaders Keshubhai Patel and Suresh Mehta. ‘‘We have met Keshubhai, Sureshbhai and Kashiram Rana and communicated our problems, including the leadership issue. They, along with Rajendrasinh Rana, will convey our side of the story to Advaniji on Thursday,’’ said Gajera.

Patel left for Delhi on Tuesday and Mehta is expected to fly to the Capital on Wednesday. Sources said Advani may came to Gujarat on April 3 after Thursday’s meeting.

The rebel MLAs have organised themselves under five MLAs — Gajera, Siddharth Parmar, Bechar Bhadani, Zadaphia and Dilip Patel.

Today, there were rumours that Modi had offered the state party president’s post to Mehta after their meeting on Saturday. ‘‘I don’t want to get into all that. But I can assure you there is no such development,’’ said Gajera.