RAJKOT: The BJP seems to have been taken aback by the huge response to Patidar leader Hardik Patel's Mahakranti Rally at Nana Mauva road and his meeting with Khodaldham trust chairman and Leuva Patel leader Naresh Patel.
In response, the ruling party has organized 'Diwali Sneh Milan' (get together) of Leuva Patel community — nearly a month-and-a-half after the festival — on Saturday to woo the community members of Rajkot (west) seat from where chief minister Vijay Rupani is contesting.
Soruces said Rupani will remain present during the function along with prominent members of the Leuva Patel community. However, Khodaldham trust, the apex body for the community, said their chariman Naresh Patel would not be attending the function.
Khodaldham trust president Paresh Gajera said, "Trustees have their own political ideology and based on that they may participate."
The function will be held at Satyam Party Plot on Nana Mauva main road, which is a Patidar dominated area and falls under Rajkot (west) constituency.
According to organizers, nearly 5,000 people from the Leuva Patel community are expected at the function. One of the organizers Bhupat Bodhra said, "We could not organize community get together after Diwali, which has been a tradition, so we are organizing it on Saturday."
BJP, Cong interchange public meeting venue
The Congress in Rajkot has decided to hold a public meeting on the same day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to hold a public meeting in Rajkot on Sunday. While PM's rally was supposed to be held at Chaudhary High School ground near Race Course, Congress had planned its event at Nana Mauva Circle. On Friday, the two parties inter-changed the venues. Congress candidate from Rajkot (west) Indranil Rajguru said, "BJP had sought a venue near our event. They wanted to snatch away our crowd. That's why we have changed the venue." BJP spokesperson Raju Dhruv said, "As per PM's direction, the Chaudhary School ground is near a hospital, so he does not want to disturb the patients."
In response, the ruling party has organized 'Diwali Sneh Milan' (get together) of Leuva Patel community — nearly a month-and-a-half after the festival — on Saturday to woo the community members of Rajkot (west) seat from where chief minister Vijay Rupani is contesting.
Soruces said Rupani will remain present during the function along with prominent members of the Leuva Patel community. However, Khodaldham trust, the apex body for the community, said their chariman Naresh Patel would not be attending the function.
Khodaldham trust president Paresh Gajera said, "Trustees have their own political ideology and based on that they may participate."
The function will be held at Satyam Party Plot on Nana Mauva main road, which is a Patidar dominated area and falls under Rajkot (west) constituency.
According to organizers, nearly 5,000 people from the Leuva Patel community are expected at the function. One of the organizers Bhupat Bodhra said, "We could not organize community get together after Diwali, which has been a tradition, so we are organizing it on Saturday."
BJP, Cong interchange public meeting venue
The Congress in Rajkot has decided to hold a public meeting on the same day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to hold a public meeting in Rajkot on Sunday. While PM's rally was supposed to be held at Chaudhary High School ground near Race Course, Congress had planned its event at Nana Mauva Circle. On Friday, the two parties inter-changed the venues. Congress candidate from Rajkot (west) Indranil Rajguru said, "BJP had sought a venue near our event. They wanted to snatch away our crowd. That's why we have changed the venue." BJP spokesperson Raju Dhruv said, "As per PM's direction, the Chaudhary School ground is near a hospital, so he does not want to disturb the patients."
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