Ahmedabad: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Arun Jaitley on July 27 made it clear that the ensuing Assembly elections in Gujarat would be fought under the leadership of Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing a press conference, Jaitley said Modi in his capacity as the leader of BJP Legislative Party has the main responsibility of ensuring that the party performed well during the Assembly elections.

To a query as to what would be the role of former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel during the coming elections, he said, "Keshubhai is a very senior leader of the party. He is a friend, philosopher and guide to everyone."

When asked that it was now being acknowledged Keshubhai government had not done badly while tackling the earthquake crisis with regard to relief and rehabilitation of quake victims, then why was he unceremoniously ousted as Chief Minister, the BJP general secretary said "there is no need to dwell on a 10 month old issue now".

"It was an internal matter of the party to whom to give what responsibility. Keshubhai has no misgivings over this. I have met him twice today and was regularly meeting him in Delhi, as both of us are Rajya Sabha MPs," he said.

"There have been some reports in a section of the media that the BJP planned to replace Rajendrasinh Rana as party president in Gujarat. But this issue never ever crossed the mind of party's central leadership. Rana would play his part during the elections and concentrate on organisational matters," Jaitley said.

Replying to a question whether "Hindutva" would play a crucial role during the Assembly elections, he said issues concerning aspirations of the people would be given more significance.

"We will seek mandate on the basis of dynamic leadership, performance (of the Chief Minister and the state government) and national ideology," Jaitley said.

To a question when he thought elections in Gujarat should be held, Jaitley said it was a decision that the Election Commission needed to take after assessing the situation in the state and keeping in view Article 174 of the Constitution.

"We have formally requested the Election Commission to hold the Assembly elections in Gujarat as early as possible. BJP has taken a categorical stand on the issue. Those opposing early Assembly elections by giving a different interpretation to Article 174 were afraid to face the electorate," the BJP general secretary said, adding that situation was quite conducive for holding of elections in the state.

PTI