Narendra Modi emerges front-runner for CM post

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI, OCT. 1. As the search for the successor of the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, began in right earnest today, Mr. Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary, emerged a front-runner. However, the matter has yet to be clinched for there is considerable opposition to him from the Keshubhai camp.

Finally, the BJP high command may simply tell the State unit and the Chief Minister to fall in line. It seems the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, - whose constituency is Gandhinagar - is particularly anxious to make the change in Gujarat as early as possible to give the new man enough time to try and turn the situation around politically. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has hinted that a final decision could be taken very soon.

In fact, not only Mr. Patel but the State president, Mr. Rajindersinh Rana, may also be asked to make way for someone else.

Throughout the day, the party president, Mr. Jana Krishnamurthi, and former president, Mr. Kushabhau Thakre, met State Ministers, some MLAs and State unit leaders, including Mr. Haren Pandya, Gujarat Home Minister, and Mr. Rajindersinh Rana. Eighteen of them were called in to meet the two Central leaders one by one. Mr. Rana also presented to Mr. Krishnamurthi the State's post- mortem report on the recent by-elections, mainly holding the Kutch earthquake and drought responsible for the admittedly poor showing by the party.

Mr. Keshubhai Patel, who had met the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and Mr. Krishnamurthi, yesterday, remained in Gujarat Bhavan here.

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