Thursday, October 13 2005 11:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: Downplaying the recent dissidence activity within the Gujarat unit of the party, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president L K Advani today (Oct 13, 2005) asserted it would have no impact on the local elections being held here. "This (dissidence activity against Chief Minister Narendra Modi) would have no impact on the polls. We have spoken to all the concerned leaders and there is no problem", Advani told reporters.

Advani was in town to cast his vote for the crucial Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) polls being held today.

About the party's prospects in various upcoming polls Advani said, "BJP is in an election mood as there are polls coming up in Bihar and also in various corporations and district panchayats in Gujarat. We expect to win by good margins".

Advani also said that the BJP had extended its reach to places where it had nominal presence, like Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

The state party was in a crisis just a few days ago with dissident leader Keshubhai Patel and two other senior party leaders resigning from the local election committee in a huff.