Rebels in Modi's problem area pick up pace

FACE-OFF: The rebellion led by Keshubhai Patel in Saurashtra threatens Modi's power.

J & K | Chhattisgarh | Delhi | MP |
Mizoram | Rajasthan

Featured Blog

Rajdeep Sardesai

26/11: Terror comes precariously close

Featured Slideshows

Rajkot: Leader of the rebel pack in Gujarat, Keshubhai Patel’s anger towards the BJP in Gujarat and Chief Minister Narendra Modi has only grown.

So on D-day, in Saurashtra, Patel decided to stay away from elections.

In the parts of Gujarat where the Leuva Patels dominate, Keshubhai is considered to be a revered leader. As the election fever picked up, Keshubhai too started raising the ante.

The Kisan Utkarsh Samiti ad that appeared in the local papers a few days back accusing Modi of being a terrorist was, by far, the clearest indicator of Keshubhai's disenchantment.

Those in the fray though are exuding confidence. “We delivered on our promises. The people of Gujarat know that BJP’s CM does what he promises and promises only what he can do,” said Vajubhai Wala, state Finance Minister.

To outdo the BJP in this maze of caste arithmetic, the Congress too has come out with all guns firing.

More than 20 Patel candidates in the fray here, many of whom with roots in the Jan Sangh.

The attempt is to gather as much of the rebel as well the OBC Koli vote as possible.

At the end of a high-pitched political campaign, it was finally time for Saurashtra to decide. It’s a decision, which would determine whether it’s Modi power or revenge of the rebels.

(With Meetu Jain)