The growing rift between the ruling BJP and its rebels in Gujarat is likely to help Bharatiya Janshakti Party leader Uma Bharati find a place for her party in the state.

A group of religious leaders, strongly opposed to Chief Minister Narendra Modi for what they call the latter’s apparent divorce from Hindutva ideology, have indicated that they are all set to field their own candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections. These candidates, who are adhered to Hindutva, are likely to go to polls under the banner of Uma’s Bharatiya Janshakti Party, even if that means a division of anti-Modi votes and harming the prospects of the natural alternative Congress.

On Monday, a group of religious leaders are holding a meeting in the rebel stronghold of Amreli in Saurashtra region, apparently to discuss the issue.

“We will give the Hindu electorate of Gujarat an alternative,” said Chaitanya Swami, a sant, while talking to The Indian Express.

“Gujarat has been the laboratory of Hindutva in this country and still it is,” he added.

While the Hindu Dharm Jagran Manch is not opposed to the BJP as a party and is ready to assist it in the forthcoming Assembly elections, provided the party high command assures that Modi will not be made the Chief Minister, it is also in dialogue with Uma Bharti for her support, said Sant Avichaldasji from Sarsa.

The meeting of the sants at Amreli, which is expected to chart out the strategy to fan the anti-Modi wave across the state, would also be a show of strength, felt Avichaldas. Interestingly, Modi too is holding a meeting at Amreli on Monday.

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