Surat: Former Gujarat Chief Minister
Keshubhai Patel, considered to be the bete noire of incumbent
Narendra Modi, on Sunday claimed that people of his community were
living in the shadow of fear in the state.
"People of my community in the state are scared," said
Patel, who was here to attend a community marriage ceremony in
Kamrej area.
Later on when quizzed about his comments, he said, "Yes I
have said that people of my community are scared and not only
that I would like to add the people of Gujarat are scared and
are living under fear".
"You have to understand by this comment," Patel said,
when asked to elaborate further.
Patel was unceremoniously removed from the post of Chief
Minister in 2001 by the BJP Central leadership and Modi was
installed in his place.
Patel before the 2007 assembly polls had said that there
was an mini-emergency like situation in the state and had
accused Modi of running the state government in a dictatorial
style.
It was a rare remark about the state of affairs in
Gujarat in the recent times by the veteran leader, who
represents the powerful Patel community of the state and
belongs to the sub-caste Kadva patidar.
The state elections are scheduled to be held later in the
year.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 13, 2012, 00:07