Though the 'sants' have not been directly campaigning against the Modi government, they have been making short stoppages across the constituencies in central Gujarat and saying, "The present government has been in power for five years but now it is time for change."
Sources in the BJP said that after a meeting of the group of seer in Amereli in October this year where it had pledged to oust Modi, a compromise had been brokered with Avichaldasji Maharaj. The present move of this religious group has taken the BJP by surprise, the sources said.
Sources close to the sants said that the group's convoy started from Somnath four days ago and has been touring various parts of central Gujarat and would soon be moving to South Gujarat.
According to poll observers, Avichaldasji Maharaj has a considerable following in districts of Vadodra, Kheda, Panchmahals and South Gujarat and his 'indirect' campaign against Modi could affect BJP calculations in around 35 constituencies.
On Sunday night in Bodeli in central Gujarat, nearly 180 km from Ahmedabad, Avichaldasji Maharaj addressed a gathering of 108 seers and after performing a ritual puja, blessed the faithful present.