Date:09/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/09/stories/2007120956940100.htm

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Suresh Mehta quits BJP

Accuses party of surrendering to Modi

- PHOTO: PTI

“I QUIT”: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Suresh Mehta talking to the media in Ahmedabad soon after resigning from the BJP on Saturday.

AHMEDABAD: In a jolt to the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections, senior party leader and former Chief Minister Suresh Mehta quit the organisation on Saturday accusing the top brass of “surrendering” to the whims and fancies of Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

“I am quitting the house [BJP] that I helped build into a palace, because it is no more suited for my stay. When I saw that the entire party was surrendering before one person [Narendra Modi], then I thought it was best to quit,” he said announcing his resignation at a press conference here.

Mr. Mehta, who was Chief Minister of Gujarat for a brief period in 1995, said that he had dedicated 50 years of his life to help build the party. He sent his resignation to Gujarat BJP president Purshottam Rupala.

Asked what his next step would be, Mr. Mehta quipped, “I will continue to campaign in this elections to prevent Chief Minister Narendra Modi from returning to power.”

Mr. Mehta also attacked Mr. Modi and BJP leader L.K. Advani for “destruction of democracy” within the party. He also shared details of happenings in 2001 when the BJP had removed Keshubhai Patel as the Gujarat Chief Minister and appointed Mr. Modi in his place.

“There were 117 BJP MLAs in the State legislature then,” Mr. Mehta said.

“None of these MLAs were consulted before [the then BJP president] L.K. Advani removed Keshubhai and appointed Modi in his place.”

“This approach of the party had hurt us then. But we chose to remain quiet in the larger interests of the party,” Mr. Mehta said. — PTI