'Patidar only' global business summit? 3-day event to host 10k Patel bizmen

Having played a pivotal role in a closely fought Assembly elections in Gujarat, the Patidar community is making itself heard through a global business summit at Mahatma Mandir in state capital Gandhinagar.

The three-day business summit is being organised by Sardardham Vishwa Patidar Kendra, an organisation formed by the community members. The summit will host over 10,000 Patidar industrialists and businessmen from 32 countries.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, led by CM Vijay Rupani and deputy CM Nitin Patel, will look to placate the community, which had voted against it in parts of Saurashtra and has been facing joblessness among the youth. On the other hand, Congress leaders from the community are also expected to be present at the event.

Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also invited, he might give the summit a miss. Prominent industrialists such as Cadila Healthcare's Pankaj Patel, Suzlon's Tulsi Tanti, and diamond exporter Govind Dholakia, among others, are expected to be there.

The event will see business networking and exhibition through 500 stalls and a 300,000 strong footfall over three days. Apart from MoUs and investment commitments, the summit will see announcements in training and skill development for the Patidar youths for enhancing employability. 

Hardik Patel to return to Gujarat with mega rally at Himmatnagar

Latest News - With his 180 days exile ending, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convenor Hardik Patel will mark his return to Gujarat on Tuesday by addressing a rally in Himmatnagar.

The Patidar community members have organised a huge welcome with over 500 cars cavalcade at Ratanpur on the border of Patel's home state, while he will address a rally in Himmatnagar in the afternoon.

Patel's Himmatnagar rally is being termed as 'GMDC part two', in a clear reference to his massive rally at Ahmedabad in August 2015.

"Himmatnagar rally will be part two of GMDC. Hardik will take up reservation issue and will also demand justice for those killed in police firing during the violence that ensued after GMDC rally. This rally will reignite quota agitation in Gujarat," Dinesh Bambhaniya, PAAS leader, said.

Over 100,000 community members are expected to join the Himmatnagar rally, followed by Patel's visit to former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel. From there, Patel will depart for Pune where he is supposed to address a student convention.

The agitating Patidar community leader after been exiled from Gujarat, had made Udaipur in Rajasthan his base for the last six months. 

Ahead of his departure from Udaipur, Patel addressed a press conference on Monday, taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government. "If the BJP government cannot kill me, I may be sent to jail for 14 years. But then when I come out at 36, I will have ample time to serve the community," Patel said.(Read More)