Rebel Bharatiya Janata Party leader Keshubhai Patel on Monday said the advertisement issued in the newspapers by Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti ahead of the assembly elections in Gujarat saying 'a change was required' was not given by him, but it was a compilation of his previous speeches.
"I have not given the advertisement. It is a compilation of my speeches given at various places and published in the newspapers. I am not denying that I have not said what has been published but I have not made the appeal," he told reporters in Gandhinagar.
The advertisement carries quotes of Patel, who was Chief Minister Narendra Modi's predecessor, criticising the present government.
Asked if he had any objection to the advertisement, Keshubhai said: "Where was the question of objection."
When asked a query if he wanted people not to vote for the BJP in the ensuing elections being held in two phases on December 11 and 16, the veteran leader said: "I do not have to say anything more than this."
"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," said SPUS head and dissident legislator Gordhan Zadafia.
The half-page advertisement carried 10 quotes of Keshubhai and his photo. It also has an appeal by the Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti, which said: "After spending his entire life for Gujarat's society, Keshubhai is very sad. Don't sit at home, come out and vote for a change of regime."
