Keshubhai compliments Modi aide on election as BJP chief

Ahmedabad, Oct 26 (UNI) Putting behind differences, former Chief Minister and known Modi baitor Keshubhai Patel today turned up at the general body meeting of the party, in which Mr Parshuttom Rupala was declared elected.

Though the election had become a contentious issue between the two factions (of Mr Narendra Modi and Keshubhai Patel), Mr Patel came to the function and complimented Mr Rupala, a close aide of Mr Modi. In his speech, he stressed on the strengthening of the organisation and keeping the workers united.

Earlier, Keshubhai Patel, himself had shown willingness to take up the top job of the party in the state, party sources said. But Mr Modi pitched for his candidate for the post, who finally won. The two sides had made representations to party vice-president Bal Apte, as to who should lead the party to Assembly elections in 2007.

Apte was here as a Central observer in the run-up to the elections and submitted a report.

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