Gujarat govt sacks two of its nominated members from M S University

Vadodara, Nov 20 (UNI) The ongoing war between the ruling BJP in Gujarat and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) over the anti-Modi SMS issue has taken a new turn, with the state government removing two of its nominated syndicate and senate members from M S University.

The termination order of syndicate member Ajay Joshi, who is also VHP city president, and senate member Mehul Lakhani was sent to the university authorities yesterday.

Although the government sacked the duo from their nominated posts without giving any reason, it is widely believed that the two were axed for their close proximity with and alleged support to Ahmedabad VHP city general secretary Ashwin Patel, who is the prime accused in the derogatory SMS case.

The three-year term of the duo was to expire in December next year.

Party sources said a few other members of the VHP nominated by the Modi government to M S University syndicate and senate were under scanner for their alleged support to the ongoing state-wide anti-Modi agitation launched by the VHP on the SMS issue.

When contacted, Mr Joshi, who is also the vice-president of south Gujarat organisation of VHP, said ''I don't mind if the government does not want me in the MSU syndicate. The government seems to have sacked me from the syndicate membership because of my participation in the agitation in support of organisation leader Ashwin Patel.'' Mr Lakhani, however, refused to make any comment on his termination, saying that he was not aware of his termination order as he was out of station for a family function.

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