Gujarat: Rebels attack Modi, say Emergency was better

Ahmedabad: Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday faced increasing attack from dissidents and former state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who were brought together by his predecessor Keshubhai Patel.

The rebels went even said that Emergency was "better" than the Gujarat strongman's rule.

Patel, a known rival of Modi, hosted the meeting of former chief minister Suresh Mehta, former Union minister Kanshiram Rana, former minister of state for home Gordhan Zadafia and other disgruntled BJP leaders to discuss their strategy for the state elections, scheduled to be held later in 2012.

The Gujarat CM faced increasing attack from dissidents and former BJP leaders who were brought together by Keshubhai Patel.

"Emergency was better than rule of Modi," Mehta, who has quit BJP and had formed an NGO, Prabudh Nagrik Shakti Manch, told reporters in Ahmedabad.

Patel, who is with the BJP, in the last couple of months has been very vocal against Modi and has time and again said his community is living under fear in Gujarat.

"We have met here to discuss the grave situation which has developed in the state under the present rule. BJP leaders, and those who had quit the party earlier have come together to discuss the situation which is going out of hand in Gujarat," Mehta said.

"As far as administration is concerned, the situation in Gujarat has gone to dogs," Mehta said.

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