SURAT: All anti-Narendra Modi forces got together under the banner of the "Patidar [Patels] Mahasammelan" in Surat on Monday as a show of strength against the Chief Minister and to counter his claim of "popularity" among all sections in Gujarat.

Sharing the platform were Union Minister of State for Petroleum Dinsha Patel, Civil Aviation Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Patel, the former Union Ministers, Urmilaben Patel and Vallabh Kathiriya, the former Deputy Chief Minister, Narhari Amin, the former Union Minister and dissident BJP leader, A.K. Patel, and several dissident BJP MLAs. Though not Patels, the suspended BJP MLAs, Ramilaben Desai and Siddhartha Parmar, and the former party general secretary, Nalin Bhatt, were also present on the dais. Some Congress leaders were also present.

Koli leaders present

The Koli Patels, represented by Koli Samaj president C.K. Peethawala and BJP Lok Sabha member Somabhai Patel, also attended the conference. The Koli Patels are unhappy with Mr. Modi for the State Government's failure to apprehend those behind the rape and murder of two Koli girls in Junagadh last month.

The Mahasammelan was scheduled to be inaugurated by the former Chief Minister, Keshubhai Patel, but he failed to arrive from the United States, where he and his sister were said to have taken ill. The vacuum was filled by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad international general secretary, Pravin Togadia (also a Patel), who initiated a vociferous attack against the "anti-farmer" Chief Minister.

Political overtones

Though the organisers of the Mahasammelan claimed it was "totally non-political and not directed against any individual or party," the political overtones were clearly discernible. None of the speakers at the conference, which continued well past midnight ever mentioned Mr. Modi or the BJP, but there was no doubt left in the minds of over a lakh of Patels present over who they meant as the "enemy" of the farmers. Repeated references were made to the "Patels being systematically targeted for harassment in the last 4-5 years."

Mr. Togadia, who admonished the Patels for the large-scale female infanticide, advised them to use their voting rights to oust from power "the enemy" of the farmers, who was "doling away" cultivable farmland to industries. "If one has a sword or revolver in his hand, will he give it to his enemy? If not, why should you give away your only weapon [vote] to your enemy," he asked.

"Stay united. Think. Recognise your enemy and rectify your past mistakes," the speakers told the Patels, who number over 1.50 crore and can influence the result in over 102 of the 182 Assembly constituencies in the State. "If the Patels decide to vote against any party, it can never come to power in Gujarat," a senior BJP leader and one of the organisers said.

Pressure on Keshubhai?

Contrary to the claims of the pro-Modi BJP lobby that the conclave was a "fiasco," the organisers said it was a "grand success." Not convinced by the reasons given by Mr. Keshubhai Patel for his absence, the dissident BJP leader and former Minister, Gordhan Jhadafiya, said, "The Patels can move forward even without Keshubhai."

Leaders of the community believe Mr. Keshubhai Patel backed out at the last moment because of the pressure exerted by Mr. Modi.

Accepting that the Mahasammelan was not a political platform because of the presence of leaders from various parties, Mr. Praful Patel said society and politics could not be entirely segregated. "It is time for you to think how much voice you have in the affairs of the State despite being 1.50 crore-strong," he told the audience.

"Unite; then no one will dare harm you," was the call given by the Congress leaders.

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