The meet has been held to ostensible organize the Patels of the state, but the intention was to send out a message to Modi, whose 'autocratic style of functioning' the dissidents have been fighting against.
SURAT: The Patel Patidar meet in Surat lost its fizz to begin with with the absence of former Gujarat CM and strongman Keshubhai Patel, but the point the rebel BJP leaders and the Patel community had set out to prove seemed to be conveyed to the Modi government.
Even as Keshubhai addressed the gathering via telephone from the US and said Patels should fight against the injustice being done to them, senior Congress leaders and dissident BJP leaders shared the dais at the meet - believed to be an indication of times to come.
The meet has been held to ostensible organize the Patels of the state, but the intention was to send out a message to Modi, whose 'autocratic style of functioning' the dissidents have been fighting against. However, with Keshubhai failing to turn up, the meet lost its fizz.
Among those who were present during the meet included dissidents Gordhan Zadafia, Dhiru Gajera, Vallabh Kathiria, Somabhai Patel of the Patel community along with others like Nalin Bhatt and the Gujarat Koli Samaj president CK Pithawala.
A large group of Congress leaders was present including union minister Dinsha Patel, Urmilaben Patel and Siddharth Patel and senior NCP leader and union minister Praful Patel. Cricketer Parthiv Patel was also attended the meet.
The event was inaugurated by the VHP leader Praveen Togadia and the chief guest was religious leader Dharmabhandhuji. The turnout in Tharukawala college campus was, however seemed below the five lakh that the dissidents had been claiming.
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