Monday, April 4 2005 08:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday (Mar 3, 2005) shared the platform with his detractors in ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a function in Ahmedabad but the rebels later met party president L K Advani and discussed organisational matters in the State.

Prominent dissident leaders including former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, Suresh Mehta, Kanshiram Rana and almost all MLAs who had voiced grievances against Modi were present at the function where Advani unveiled the statute of assassinated former Home Minister Haren Pandya.

The presence of the dissidents at the function was in sharp contrast to their absence in the "Swabhiman Rally" held to protest the US' denial of visa to the Chief Minister last month.

Advani who unveiled the statue of Pandya, lauded his 'relentless services' to the saffron party. Keshubhai Patel and Suresh Mehta and Pandya's father Vithal washed the statue with 'gangajal' (water from the Ganga) and offered tributes.

Vithal Pandya, a known critic of Modi, claimed he was not invited to the function and raised slogans against the Chief Minister and refused to sit among the BJP leaders.

He also distributed literature to reporters alleging, "Haren was a victim of political murder."

Though the dissident MLAs maintained a low profile during the function, they later met Advani and discussed "party matters" at length.

"Several MLAs and senior leader Keshubhai Patel met Advani. We talked about matters and issues concerning the party and its political status in the State," prominent dissident MLA from Surat Dhirubhai Gajera said.

State BJP president Rajendrasinh Rana, former Home Minister Gordhan Zadafiya, Suresh Mehta and Jaynarayan Vayas were also present in the informal meeting.

The BJP high command had on March 31 ruled out change of leadership in Gujarat after a meeting with the dissident leaders in Delhi. At the same time, it is reported to have told Modi to be more accommodative towards his critics in the party.

Asked whether anti-Modi issues or BJP's decision on the leadership issue was raised, Gajera said, "The issues and concerns have been conveyed through our representatives earlier when they visited Delhi. If need be we can raise them again but this time there was no need to."

Haren Pandya was shot dead on March 26, 2003 outside Law garden in the city while going for his morning walk.