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Keshubhai stunned as Vajpayee tells him to quit Monday, October 1, 2001
By Pankaj Vohra, Hindustan Times
(New Delhi, September 30)
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Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is understood to have asked the Gujarat chief minister, Keshubhai Patel, to step down from his post. The Prime Minister conveyed his decision to Patel when the two met at the former's residence this morning.
Sources said, Patel was both taken aback and surprised at the Prime Minister's suggestion and wanted to know why he should relinquish office. He is believed to have told the PM that if he was asked to quit, he would prefer to leave politics altogether.
Sources further revealed that subsequently, Gujarat BJP leaders were summoned to Delhi to apprise them of the developments. While some reached the Capital tonight, others were expected to arrive tomorrow.
The Gujarat BJP leaders will first hold discussions with top central leaders including Jana Krishnamurthi, Kushabhau Thakre, Madan Lal Khurana and Narendra Modi. They may then meet the PM and LK Advani before any final decision on Patel's replacement is taken.
The BJP's central leadership has been holding wide-ranging consultations with various leaders to discuss the future of Patel since the past several days. He got a reprieve when no decision could be taken last week.
The BJP high command is unhappy ever since the results of the by elections in Gujarat were announced some days ago. A number of dissidents in the party had shrilled the pitch for the CM's removal and had sought the high command's intervention. Madan Lal Khurana, vice president in-charge of Gujarat, had indicated last week that a change was not ruled out.
Patel has also been under fire because of poor handling of the post earthquake situation as there has been growing feeling that the relief measures were not handled effectively. He also faced criticism after the results of Gujarat municipal polls where the BJP did not fare too well.
Sources said that several names were doing the rounds as possible successors. Narendra Modi and former CM Suresh Mehta were emerging as the front runners. The final decision would be taken by Vajpayee and Advani.
Soucre - Hindustan Times
Related News : Keshubhai Patel asked to resign
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