Guj BJP issues showcause notice to party MLA

Ahmedabad, June 16 (UNI) With Gujarat assembly elections not far away, state BJP, in a clear warning to dissidents in the party, has issued a showcause notice to its MLA and former agriculture minister Behchar Bhadani for openly criticising Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Bhadani has been asked to submit his reply within seven days or face disciplinary action, party sources said here today.

The sources said Mr Bhadani has been charged with anti-party activities and making statements against Mr Narendra Modi recently in Amreli town in Saurashtra region. Bhadani represents Lathi Liliya Constituency.

The notice was issued following a recent interaction with media in which the former minister had accused Mr Modi of functioning in an autocratic style and wasting public money for his personal publicity.

He had also charged that law and order situation in Gujarat had completely broken down.

In the wake of Mr Bhadani's outbursts, BJP president Rajnath Singh on Sunday had made it clear that the next elections will be fought under the leadership of Mr Modi. The party had also made it clear that it was not against convention of the Patels in Surat as long as such events are of a social nature.

In the last one year or so, the BJP has suspended three MLAs -- Siddhartha Parmar, Ramila Desai and Rakesh Rao. The party had also sought explanation from two MPs -- Soma Ganda and Vallabh Kathiria, and MLAs -- Gordhan Zadafia, Dhirubhai Gazera, Balu Tanti, and Bavkubhai Ugadh for their activities.

UNI