Suspended BJP MP Patel undecided on trust vote

The MP from Surendranagar said he is being approached by “several influential and powerful forces” to take a decision on the confidence vote, sought by the UPA Government after Left parties withdrew support over the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.

“I will take the decision only after reviewing the entire situation,” he said. Patel said he is leaving for Delhi on Saturday, where he will have consultations with “various groups” before taking a decision on the trust vote.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP, a key member of the ruling UPA, is in close touch with Patel, sources close to him said. BJP sources said local party leaders have not contacted Patel and it is up to him to take a decision.

Patel and another Lok Sabha MP Vallabh Kathiriya were suspended for “anti-party” activities ahead of the Gujarat Assembly election in December last year.

Another BJP MP, Babubhai Katara, was suspended for his alleged involvement in a human trafficking case. The MP from Dahod, currently on bail, has already said he would follow the BJP whip and vote against the government. Last week, BJP revoked the suspension of Kathiriya, MP from Rajkot, after he tendered an apology.