BJP issues showcause notices against anti-Modi leaders, suspends 2 MPs

Just days ahead of the counting of votes in Gujarat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday issued showcause notices to veteran party leaders Keshubhai Patel and Kashiram Rana, and suspended two of its Lok Sabha members for indulging in anti-party activities during the Assembly elections.

New Delhi/Ahmedabad, Dec 21 : Just days ahead of the counting of votes in Gujarat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday issued showcause notices to veteran party leaders Keshubhai Patel and Kashiram Rana, and suspended two of its Lok Sabha members for indulging in anti-party activities during the Assembly elections.

Keshubhai Patel, who was replaced by Narendra Modi as the Chief Minister of the State in 2001, has been accused of sabotaging the party's victory prospects.

Both leaders have been asked to explain within a week the reason for making such public statements, which were detrimental to party's poll prospects.

The two MPs, who have been suspended form the party's primary membership, are Vallabhai Kathiria and Somabhai Patel.

On Sunday, the counting of the votes polled is scheduled to take place, and the exit polls have predicted return of the BJP in the State under the leadership of Narendra Modi.

ANI