More Gujarat BJP MLAs to face the axe

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which has suspended five of its Gujarat legislators suspected to have cross-voted in favour of UPA-Left presidential candidate Pratibha Patil, on Wednesday appeared set to crack the whip on several more party legislators opposed to Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"That was not the final action," BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday, adding, "It was a warning in fact."

Javadekar's comments came two days after party chief Rajnath Singh ordered suspension of legislators Dhirubhai Gajera, Gordhan Jhadaphia, Balubhai Tanti, Becharbhai Bhadani and Bavkubhai Undhad -- all staunch critics of Modi.

The move followed presidential election results that showed rebels in the Gujarat BJP camp had voted in favour of Pratibha.

Party sources revealed some half-a-dozen more legislators faced suspension for their outbursts against Modi.      

Those who have been suspended from the party for indiscipline, however, have accused Modi of dictatorial attitude and vowed to launch a public campaign against him ahead of the state elections.