Former BJP CM Mehta quits BJP

Ahmedabad, Dec 7 (UNI) Former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sureshchandra Mehta has decided to quit the party tomorrow.

A close associate of Mr Mehta told UNI here today that the party leader, who was openly spearheading the rebel MLA group, had earlier spoken of quitting the party before the polling for Assembly elections, scheduled on December 11 and 16.

He will officially annouce his decision to quit the BJP at a press conference at 1500 hrs tomorrow, the source said.

The resignation of Mehta will deliver one more body blow to the ruling BJP at a crucial juncture as the first phase of polls is just four days away.

Mr Mehta was supporting the the dissidents group, led by former Gujarat Home Ministe Gordhan Zadafia, for the removal of Chief Minister Narendra Modi from his post.

Another rival of Mr Modi and leader of the powerful Patel community former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel is giving interviews to channels, targeting the Modi government with an appeal to overthrow the 'autocratic' rule.

UNI