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Former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel today resigned from the BJP launching a direct attack on present incumbent Narendra Modi. He along with former union minister Kanshiram Rana sent their resignation letters to BJP president Nitin adkari, only months ahead of the assembly elections in the state. Patel, who has twice been the Chief Minister, has been vocal in his criticism of Modi, calling him a "demon" responsible for the misery of common people of the state. The veteran BJP leader had announced he will soon float a new party and has received support of other Modi detractors like Kanshiram Rana, Fakir Vaghela, Suresh Mehta Nalin Bhatt and Gordhan Zadafia. Announcing his decision in Gandhinagar, Patel said he unhappy with the way the party functions now. He said: "I am leaving with a lot of pain. The BJP high command has not paid heed to our concerns." Alleging the central leadership of having bias towards Modi, he said: "Gadkari-ji said small leaders like Sanjay Joshi can be sacrificed for a big leader like Narendra Modi." Earlier, Patel had decided not to renew his membership of the party. Modi had replaced Patel as Chief Minister in 2001.

Keshubhai Patel resigns from BJP, to form a new party