National

I’ll draw swords if needed: Keshubhai

Ahmedabad: Senior BJP leader Keshubhai Patel on Sunday compared his arch rival in the party and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Adolf Hitler and said he would “draw the swords” if needed.

In a major boost to the anti-Modi camp in the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections slated for later this year, three senior party leaders — Mr. Patel, Suresh Mehta and Kanshiram Rana — attended a meeting of farmers in Kutch and spoke against Mr. Modi.

Likening Mr. Modi to Hitler, Mr. Patel noted that the German leader was elected in a democratic manner, but ruled like a dictator.

A “mini-emergency” prevailed in Gujarat, he said.

“If need be, I will not hesitate to draw swords,” Mr. Patel thundered at the well-attended meeting organised by the Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti.

“Nobody can express his opinion in the State. If partymen or MLAs speak the truth, they are considered rebels. We are not rebels, but have an opinion different from the government’s and are not happy with its functioning.” Mr. Patel made it clear he would not campaign for the BJP for the Assembly elections due by December. He accused the Modi government of not carrying out development activities. — PTI

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