Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti, an organisation floated by Bharatiya Janata Party rebels, on Monday issued an advertisement carrying an appeal by veteran leader Keshubhai Patel that "a change was required".

The advertisement, that took the BJP by surprise, comes at a time when just seven days are left for the crucial first phase of Assembly polls in the state scheduled on December 11.

The advertisement carries quotes of Keshubhai that criticise the government led by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"The advertisement was issued with the idea to refresh the memory of the people regarding what Keshubhai Patel had said earlier against Narendra Modi. The advertisement carries verbatim quotes of Keshubhai Patel spoken at different places," Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti head Gordhan Zadafia, told PTI.