Tuesday, August 30 2005 16:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Amid relentless oust-Narendra Modi campaign, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Keshubhai Patel, who is leading the rebellion against the Gujarat Chief Minister today (Aug 30, 2005) met party President L K Advani in New Delhi.

Patel was closeted with Advani at the latter's residence for over an hour and the two are believed to have discussed the issue of grievances that several BJP MLAs have against Modi.

"Advani and Patel met over lunch," the sources said.

The former Gujarat Chief Minister, along with several dissident MLAs, had earlier come to Delhi more than a week ago to air their grievances and demand Modi's ouster.

They had met former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi and some other leaders but returned to Gujarat without meeting Advani.

Subsequently, Advani, during his visit to Ahmedabad, went to Patel's residence along with Modi in an apparent effort to cool tempers.

However, he provoked the dissidents by showering praise on Modi.

Dissidents have been critical of Modi's style of functioning and want his removal.