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Prithvi Shah in Gandhinagar
Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel will propose the name of Bharatiya Janata Party national general secretary Narendra Damodardas Modi as his successor, and Suresh Mehta, presently the industry minister in the Keshubhai government, will second it at the party MLAs meeting in Gandhinagar on Thursday.
Earlier, Khushabhau Thakre and Madanlal Khurana, two senior BJP leaders, met Patel at his residence, and it was followed by the one-on-one meeting between Modi and Patel.
According to party sources, the dominant Patel community MLAs and supporters have been assured that there will be a 'balanced representation of Patels' in Modi's cabinet.
The sources added that the Patels are most vocal, powerful and dominant in BJP, and their sentiments can't be ignored.
On Tuesday, BJP's Patel minister Bechardas Bhadani, who is facing serious allegation of corruption, had called for meeting of Keshubhai Patel's supporters.
Around 30 MLAs had attended it. In the meeting, minister in the Keshubhai cabinet, Bharat Barot, party secretary Gordhandas Jhadafia and MLA Amit Shah explained to the group that since the exit of Keshubhai was a forgone conclusion, wisdom lay in not rebelling against the party high-command's decision.
They were clearly told that if they would publicly demonstrate their anger, the party would not consider their candidatures for the next elections.
Party sources said Keshubhai has been assured that there will be a steering committee to coordinate between the party and the government, and he would be given the charge of heading it.
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