No rifts in Guj BJP; Keshubhai is with Modi: Roopani

Ahmedabad, Oct 16 (UNI) Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today denied that there was any rift in the party at any level and claimed that Chief Minister Narendra Modi's arch rival Keshubhai Patel was with the party and would campaign for it in the forthcoming Assembly polls in the state.

Talking to mediapersons here, Gujarat BJP general secretary Vijay Roopani categorically denied any division in the party at any level and claimed that ''Mr Patel is with the party and will definitely actively campaign for the party in the Assembly polls.'' Mr Roopani said, ''Keshubhai is one of the senior most party leaders, thus his guidance and suggestions would be sought and implemented by the party for election works as well as campaigning.'' He also denied the possibilities of the dissidents joining the opposition Congress party, saying they (dissidents) were all part of the BJP and would soon be working for the party in the election works.

The BJP leader said the party was in a strong position in the State and will definitely win the elections. ''In fact, the opposition Congress has dissidents and some of them are willing to join the BJP.'' He said Congress MLA Pabubha Manek (Dwarka) has joined the BJP today along with hundreds of local Congress workers.

Mr Roopani also said the party had constituted a 13-member election committee (parliamentary board), led by state president Purshottam Roopala.

Other members of the committee include Mr Modi, Vajubhai Vala, Surendra Patel, Rajendrasinh Rana, Ashok Bhatt, Ms Anandiben Patel, Jayantibhai Barot, Mangubhai Patel, Ramanbhai Vora, Vijay Roopani, Bharatsinh Parmar and Bhikhubhai Dalsaniya, he added.

UNI