Advani arrives in city, Modi and rebels greet him Saturday, August 20 2005 19:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
Ahmedabad::
Amidst simmering political developments, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President L K Advani arrived in the city in Ahmedabad today (Aug 20, 2005) as part of his two-day visit to Gujarat.
Advani was greeted at the city airport by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues and also several BJP)MLAs who have been campaigning for Modi's removal.
Among the dissident MLAs who went to receive Advani were Bharat Pandya, Maya Kodnani, Jitu Patel, Gordhan Zadafiya and Bhavin Sheth.
Advani did not speak a word to awaiting media persons and left with Modi for the function.
The significance of the BJP president's visit to Gujarat has multiplied due to the rise in anti-Modi campaign and also the suspension of senior leader Madanlal Khurana, who vocally demanded Modi's removal on 'moral' grounds as the Congress had removed Jagdish Tytler following the Justice Nanavati report on the anti-Sikh riots.
Advani would attend two functions in the city today and there were speculations if he would call on former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel at his house.
Inspite of leading the anti-Modi camp to Delhi three days ago, Keshubhai did not meet Advani and instead met A B Vajpayee and M Joshi, both detractors of Modi.