BHOPAL: There was sudden turmoil in political circles after former BJP minister Kamal Patel was seen near the state Congress office on Friday evening.With assembly elections just two months away, it led to intense speculation. Patel was seen having a conversation with a local Congress leader, Radheshyam Patel. It sent tremors through the state BJP.Patel was BJP legislator from Harda for four terms (1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008) and as cabinet minister held important portfolios like revenue and medical education. In 2013, he lost to Congress’ Ram Kishor Dogne by less than 5,000 votes. He was sidelined after a youth was shot dead in his constituency and his son was accused of destroying evidence.So when Patel was seen near the Congress office, rumours spread like wildfire that he was switching loyalties. But the commotion was short lived as he explained, “I went to meet PWD minister Rampal Singh , who lives in the lane adjoining the Congress office. When I was returning, I met my relative Radheshyam Patel, who is with Congress. So we chatted for a while,” he said.He later issued a statement, saying he was not joining Congress party, had not met any of its leaders, nor visited the PCC headquarters. “This is a conspiracy. I will file a defamation suit against those spreading such rumours,” he said. “My life, from the very beginning, is in the service of BJP. Till the day I am alive, I will remain with BJP. I have struggled against Congress since my student days. Not even in my dream would I think of joining Congress,” he said.In May 2017, state BJP showcaused him after he became vocal against illegal sand mining. Patel filed a petition with National Green Tribunal, saying that illegal mining was adversely affecting the ecology of Narmada river . BJP said it was anti-party activity to attack the government over an issue as sensitive as illegal sand mining.

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