Some Modi men raise their hands

Sources said that Industries Minister Suresh Mehta was the first to raise the issue of violence at the meeting.

He began by reportedly asking Modi at whose instance had K P S Gill been sent to Gujarat and whether Gill would discharge his duty under Article 355 of the Constitution. Then he went on to express concern over the violence.

Other ministers, especially those whose constituencies fall in Ahmedabad, Ashok Bhatt, Bharat Barot, Kaushik Patel, and Haren Pandya, told Modi that violence had tarnished the image of the BJP not only in Gujarat but also elswhere in the country and could even erode election prospects.

Ironically, these Ministers themselves have not visited any Muslim relief camps and Barot has repeatedly argued for shutting down three camps in his constituency, including the second largest one at Dariyakhan Ghummat.

One minister also reminded Modi that the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister had described the violence as ‘‘a blot on the nation’’. Another minister reportedly suggested that all ministers, including Modi, visit relief camps.

Sources said State Finance Minister Nitin Patel and Water Supply Minister Narottam Patel suggested the government could salvage its image through proper rehabilitation of riot victims.

Another factor behind today’s Cabinet debate is politics.

Differences between Modi and the BJP organisation in the state have begun to surface over the Chief Minister’s attempts to win over old party hands, especially veteran leader from Junagadh, Narsinh Padhiar, and former senior functionary Dattaji Chirandas. Many in the party see in these gestures a ‘‘hidden agenda’’ to sideline certain present office-bearers.

Padhiar, once a close aide of Shankersinh Vaghela, has been living in political hibernation ever since the Rashtriya Janata Party of Vaghela merged with the Congress. Padhiar was in favour of carving out a third force and so did not go with Vaghela to the Congress. Modi has invited him back to the BJP and Padhiar has taken the bait.

He told The Indian Express: ‘‘I and Narendra Modi have met three-four times in recent months and he invited me to join the BJP. I did not accept the offer immediately and told him I would decide this after consulting my supporters, who had no objection. So I met Modi again in the Secretariat and told him I am willing to join the BJP.’’

Asked when he proposed to formally join the BJP, he said, ‘‘There are office-bearers of the BJP who are objecting to my joining the party. I will not disclose their names. There is a working group in the BJP, headed by Modi, comprising 39 ministers and 14 party office-bearers. The group has to agree to this.’’

Asked about others like Dattaji Chirandas, at present in the Congress, Padhiar said, ‘‘I won’t know this. You ask them.’’ Dattaji could not be contacted. Dattaji used to be an important office-bearer of the BJP and played, with Vaghela, a stellar role in springing the party to significance in Gujarat.

However, state BJP chief Rajendrasinh Rana has denied that there is any move to take Padhiar or Chirandas back. ‘‘Those who stabbed the party in the back have no right for a re-entry,’’ he said.