Keshubhai Patel resigns from BJP, to float new party

NEW DELHI: Former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel has resigned from the BJP on Saturday. He has announced his decision to float a new political party ahead of Gujarat polls. He, along with former union minister Kanshiram Rana, stepped down only months ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Earlier, Keshubhai called chief minister Narendra Modi a "demon" who is responsible for the misery of common people of the state. "Narendra Modi is a demon who is responsible for the misery of common people of Gujarat. As per our ancient tales, the life of demons used to be in some bird. To win the fight against such demons, the hero has to kill the bird. In the same way, Modi's life is in your votes. Do not give him vote and he will be finished," Patel said.

"Somebody gave me a suggestion that I should sit quietly at this age as I have achieved everything in my long political career. But I saw people are suffering and in these circumstances I cannot sit at home," Patel, who is leading the anti-Modi group within BJP, said.

"Former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee had told Modi to follow `Rajdharma' (after 2002 riots). Looking at the situation in the state and suffering of people, I have come to the conclusion that I should follow `Praja dharma'," Patel said.