‘A dozen Patel BJP MLAs in touch with Keshubhai Patel’

Fifteen sitting or former members of legislative assembly (MLA) from ruling BJP are in touch with Keshubhai Patel-led Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP), claimed sources in the recently floated outfit.

“There are various leaders from BJP who are likely to join us.  Talks are still on with them. GPP is going to provide an alternative to all those dissidents who are not satisfied with their present leadership. They have faith in credible leadership of Keshubhai,” said a senior leader from GPP on condition of anonymity.

According to sources, there are at least six sitting MLAs from BJP who are in regular touch with Keshubhai Patel or other senior colleagues in the party.

When Keshubhai floated the new outfit, many political analysts had termed it is an ‘irrelevant’ force. “However looking at the response and mass support it has started to garner in these few days it is an accepted fact that GPP is likely to dent vote bank of BJP as most people in the new party have their roots with political outfit of Sangh Parivar,” the GPP leader adds.

“Those who are in touch with GPP mostly include Patel community members; however, there are people from Thakore, Brahmin and other castes also. GPP is getting good support from Saurashtra and North Gujarat,” the source said. 

“These MLAs are waiting for the official announcement of elections. Once it is announced they will come in the open and join our party,” claims the source when asked why BJP MLAs are not coming out in the open with their support.  Sources also claim that there is more in the waiting.

This list includes a ‘large’ chunk of people who await announcement of the candidates’ list by BJP. “There are people who apprehend they may not be repeated or their roles may be changed by BJP high command. There are chances these dissidents may also join Keshubhai,” source further claimed.