Former CM Sureshchandra Mehta quits BJP

Ahmedabad, Dec 8 (UNI) Former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sureshchandra Mehta today quit the party, accusing the Central government of ignoring all his representations and allowing Chief Minister Narendra Modi to continue with his post.

Mr Mehta, who had expressed his intention to quit the party a few weeks ago, said those who dared to raise their voice against Mr Modi are dubbed as ''rebels''. ''It has become very difficult to remain in the BJP under these circumstances,'' he added.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who is camping in the city for the Gujarat Assembly elections, reacting to Mr Mehta's exit from the party, said the BJP had anticipated the move since Mr Mehta had been ''hobnobbing'' with rebels for the last few months.

''It is good that Mr Mehta has quit since the BJP does not want to have indisciplined workers in the party,'' he said.

Mr Mehta is supporting the BJP dissidents group, led by former Gujarat Home Minister Gordhan Zadafia, which has been pressing for the removal of Mr Modi from his post.

UNI