No rift between BJP and VHP: Togadia

Ahmedabad, Nov 22 (UNI) Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) international General Secretary Praveen Togadia today asserted that there was no rift between the VHP and BJP.

Mr Togadia's visit was close on the heels of VHP supremo Ashok Singhal.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Togadia said ''There is no rift between the VHP and BJP. We are in talks with BJP president Rajnath Singh. We are hopeful about an early release of VHP leader Ashwin Patel from the jail. Both the BJP and VHP should be united against UPA. We will sort out small things here and there within the family.'' It is believed that after VHP supremo Ashok Singhal's one to one talk with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday in Gandhinagar, police may be instructed to take a lenient approach in Ashwin Patel's case and he may soon get bail.

Patel, who is facing sedition charge for circulating derogatory and defamatory SMSes against Mr Modi and the Gujarat government, is currently lodged in Sabarmati jail. He was also booked for an offence of forgery.

Patel has filed a bail application in the Gujarat High court, after Sessions court denied him bail earlier.

Mr Togadia also visited VHP's Ahmedabad unit General Secretary Ashwin Patel's residence in the city's Ranip area. He spent around 45 minutes with Patel's family.

UNI HT AB/SSS SLD KN2155