Though the discontent is reportedly brewing among a large section of the party MLAs and workers against the style of functioning of Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, the disgruntled appear to have adopted a `wait and watch' policy strategically in view of, among other things, the political developments in the neighbouring BJP-ruled Rajasthan.

``Quite a good number of our party MLAs and workers do have reservations against the CM's style of functioning but the time is not ripe to express them in public. However, some of them may prefer to air their grievances before Thakre, if they are allowed to meet him individually'', a senior legislator told Express Newsline on condition of anonymity.

Hours after he landed in Gandhinagar this morning, the BJP supremo held a meeting had a meeting with newly appointed chairpersons and directors of the various government-owned boards and corporations, where Thakre took stock of the functioning of these government bodies. Later in the evening, he addressed a meeting of the party MLAs and MPs, where he advised them to nurse their respective constituency and further boost up the party's image. None of the MLAs was reported to have expressed a voice of dissent at the hour-long meeting.

When contacted at the venue of the MLAs' meeting, Thakre told Express Newsline that his visit was a ``routine one and that reporters should not read too much between the lines''. Responding to a query, the BJP chief said he was not averse to meeting the party legislators, ministers or workers individually.

To another question, he said, ``All is well with the BJP and its government in Gujarat, and I am satisfied with the performance of Keshubhai Patel as the Chief Minister. I and Keshubhai have not yet met separately during the day".

Water Supply Minister Narottam Patel and former minister Atmaram Parmar, loyal to the Kashiram Rana faction in the party, were reported to have met Thakre separately earlier in the day. However, it was not not known what had transpired at the meeting.

Though a senior member of the party, Parmar has neither been inducted in the Keshubhai Patel ministry, nor has he been graced with the chairmanship of any key corporation.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Jaspal Singh, the most vocal member in the ministry, had requested the State party leadership to arrange his separate meeting with Kushabhau.