Rebels see ‘conspiracy’ behind venue

Senior BJP rebel leaders from Gujarat, including former chief ministers Keshubhai Patel and Suresh Mehta, may have cited “personal reasons” for staying away from the party’s national executive meet, but what appears to be the real reason is the selection of Bhopal as venue.

When contacted, Mehta told The Sunday Express on phone from Bhuj, “It has been a tradition in our party to hold its national executive meeting in a state that goes to polls. We are really surprised that a strategy to ensure the BJP’s victory in the impending Assembly elections in Gujarat is being discussed and chalked out in Bhopal”.

Former BJP minister and suspended MLA Gordhan Zadaphiya blamed Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the choice of the venue.

“Had the national executive met in Gujarat, members would have known the reality about what the Modi regime has done for the state. We would have exposed his hollow claims of having put Gujarat on the path of development and progress,” the rebel leader said.