BJP president Advani arrives in Ahmedabad

Bharatiya Janata Party president Lal Kishenchand Advani arrived in Ahmedabad on Saturday as part of his two-day visit to Gujarat. Chief Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues and also several BJP legislators who have been campaigning for Modi's removal, greeted Advani at the city airport.

• Keshubhai arrives in Delhi, BJP rules out replacement of Modi

Advani did not speak to awaiting media persons and left with Modi for the function. Among the dissident MLAs who went to receive Advani were Bharat Pandya, Maya Kodnani, Jitu Patel, Gordhan Zadafiya and Bhavin Sheth.

• 'Congress would prefer Prez rule in Gujarat'

The significance of the BJP president's visit to Gujarat has multipled due to the rise in anti-Modi campaigning and also the suspension of senior leader Madan Lal Khurana, who vocally demanded Modi's removal on 'moral' grounds as the Congress had removed Jagdish Tytler following the Justice Nanavati report on the anti-Sikh riots.

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Advani would attend two functions in the city on Saturday and there were speculations on whether he would call on former chief minister Keshubhai Patel at his house. Inspite of leading the anti-Modi camp to Delhi three days ago, Keshubhai did not meet Advani and instead met A B Vajpayee and M M Joshi, both detractors of Modi.