New Delhi, Nov 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party has declared a war of sorts on Gujarat chief minister Dilip Parikh, the man instrumental in splitting the party in the state.

BJP has decided to take help from either the Congress or its own breakaway faction, the Rashtriya Janata Party, to unseat the Parikh government at the trial of strength on November 13.

The party has also decided to overrule the objections of former chief minister Keshubhai Patel regarding readmitting RJP defectors. "If they want to come back, the party has nothing to object," said party spokesman Yashwant Sinha. This is in sharp contrast to the party's policies, which till October 21 had maintained that the defectors would not be readmitted.

BJP though on record has stated that it had no compulsion in forming a government with anybody's support, the move has created problems within.A potential group that is keen on joining the BJP-led government is the former Janata Dal-G group in the Congress.

The group's leader Chhabildas Mehta is a potential claimant for the chief ministership, an issue that is revolting for BJP leader and former chief minister Keshubhai Patel.

BJP central leadership has not yet decided how to solve the problem. Patel's sentiment was hurt when he was forced to step down in favour of Suresh Mehta, in the wake of Dilip Parikh-engineered Khajuraho coup in September 1995.

Mehta, though critical of the Congress, has yet to give a firm assurance to the BJP. He is awaiting a firm commitment.

BJP leaders say that all options had been kept open. What suits the BJP most is - fresh elections.

The other option being considered is to extend support from outside to Mehta. But governor Krishnapal Singh being close to Shankarsinh Vaghela, the proposal may not find favour with him and once again the BJP would be in a Catch 22 situation as the would be defectors might float back to form a government with those despised by the BJP.

In an extreme situation, the state BJP unit might be allowed to join the government. However, it won't be easy to resolve the leadership issue. Senior leaders, feel that Keshubhai Patel could once again be persuaded to `sacrifice' in the `interest of the organisation,' paving way for a solution to all party members who want to join the government.

Gujarat BJP leaders have told the leadership that though they may abide by the wishes of the high command, they want fresh elections as they expect a massive mandate from the people of the state, who never take immoral stands kindly.

For the present, the central leadership has advised them to go slow on their avowed aim.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.