A section of Surat's businessmen seem to have reciprocated, at least partly because of their businessmen interests, local BJP sources said. Mahesh Sawani and Mukesh Patel, two of Surat's leading Patidar businessmen, have formed a Patidar Abhivadan Samiti, which will hold the felicitation in Surat's Patel-dominated Varachha locality. They claim the support of over 200 local Patel businessmen. If one team is arrested, another will surface," activist Reshma Patel said over the phone from Surat. Apart from Shah and Rupani, the invitees include state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, Union ministers Purshottam Rupala and Mansukh Mandaviya, and the BJP's 44 Patidar MLAs.

Source: The Telegraph September 05, 2016 22:40 UTC