Guj BJP denies media reports on Modi-dissident controversy

Ahmedabad, Aug 4 (UNI) Gujarat BJP today denied speculative reports that Chief Minister Narendra Modi had sought clearance from Party President Rajnath Singh to take stern action against local party dissidents.

Gujarat BJP General Secretary and spokesman Vijaybhai Roopani termed media reports as ''baseless and far from the fact''.

Mr Roopani termed the entire episode as ''a political conspiracy formed by the opposition Congress party with media help with an objective to demoralise BJP workers in their faith and unity in the leadership of Mr Modi and the party.

''Mr Modi has neither made a telephonic conversation nor communicated any complaint to Mr Singh about the BJP dissidents.

This political gimmick was floated by Congress to get political mileage in the forthcomming Gujarat Assembly elections,'' he said.

Local newspapers today speculated a report that Mr Modi had conveyed to Mr Singh that dissidents in anti-party activities were getting support from his arch rivals -- former Chief Ministers Keshubhai Patel, Sureshchandra Mehta and former union minister Kashiram Rana and other senior leaders. To stop these dissident activies he (Mr Modi) must take stern action against these dissidents, including suspension of some of them from the party, according to reports.

These senior BJP stalwarts were seen with the dissidents, including five suspended MLAs -- Dhiru Gajera, Balubhai Tanti, Gordhan Zadafia, Bechar Bhadani and Bavku Ughad -- at a secret meeting held at a private farm-house near State capital Gandhinagar on Thursday.

UNI