Narendra Modi will lead BJP in next assembly election

Anand, Aug 12 (UNI) The forthcoming assembly elections in Gujarat will be fought under leadership of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, BJP spokesperson Vijay Rupani said today.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Rupani said Mr Modi will lead the party to the polls this year-end and ''he will be our next Chief Minister''. He challenged the Congress to name its state leader and Chief Ministerial candidate.

He was in the city to meet party workers, Mlas and councillors in connection with the door-to-door campaign programme to highlight Modi government's achievements during the past five years. Mr Rupani said as many as six lakh party workers are engaged in this programme, which will be completed by the month-end.

Mr Rupani said the party has set a target of meeting one crore families across the state this month.

He appealed to people of the state to cast their votes on the basis of performance of Modi government and called upon party workers to make the direct contact programme a success.

When asked about the party rebels' propaganda against the Modi government, he said people of the state were clever enough to judge their plans, saying that the rebels have no issue to oppose the BJP.

He said the party will not tolerate any indiscipline in the party and the five BJP Mlas were suspended by the party high command in view of their anti-party activities. If the suspended Mlas apologise for their activities against the party, they are welcome to the party, Rupani added.

Last month, BJP president Rajnath Singh had suspended five BJP Mlas--Gordhan Zadaphia, Balu Tanti, Bechar Bhadani, Bavku Unghad and Dhiru Gajera for anti-party activities.

UNI