Still in BJP, Keshubhai’s son waits for his time

Even as former Chief Minister and rebel BJP veteran Keshubhai Patel refuses to renew his official ties with the BJP, his son Bharat Patel remains a primary member of the party though he keeps a low profile.

Bharat says he will remain a BJP member till his father launches a new political outfit in August as he has promised.

Bharat, who has always been in the shadow of his father, says his political career is naturally linked with his father's. He was taken in the BJP a few years ago to placate a ruffled Keshubhai, who was moved out of state political scene with a Rajya Sabha membership.

Meanwhile, sources in the rebel camp in the BJP say there are many people within the party who are unhappy, including some MLAs, but they are currently waiting for a more opportune time.

Former Union minister Kashiram Rana has already made it clear he has not renewed his membership of the BJP.

Though Keshubhai has kept everyone guessing, state BJP general secretary Vijay Rupani confirmed he was no more with the party. "Our party members had gone to his house for filling the membership renewal form but he was not around and it was conveyed to them that he was yet to give a thought to it."

Rupani confirmed that Keshubhai had not filled form.

The BJP conducted a membership drive from June 24-30 where all those whose six-year primary membership had expired could renew the same while new ones could join the party.

Rupani, while admitting that a few more from the BJP could have chosen to sink or swim with Keshubhai, said it was only a perception that he had a large following.

"It was Keshubhai who trained members to think of the party as larger than any individual. So who will follow his call for open rebellion," said Rupani.

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