Today in New Delhi, Naresh Patel, a prominent Patidar leader from Gujarat and the head of the Shree Khodaldham Trust, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The gathering was held in advance of Gujarat's next assembly elections, which are anticipated to be declared soon.
According to state BJP president CR Patil, the conference will improve the party's chances in the next elections.
A trustee of the Khodaldham Trust named Ramesh Tilara, who attended the meeting with Mr. Patel, claimed they paid Mr. Modi a "goodwill visit."
Although he had not yet set a date, the prime minister was also asked to visit the Khodaldham Trust, Mr. Tilara said.
A trustee of the Khodaldham Trust named Ramesh Tilara, who attended the meeting with Mr. Patel, claimed they paid Mr. Modi a "goodwill visit."
Although he had not yet set a date, the prime minister was also asked to visit the Khodaldham Trust, Mr. Tilara said.
When asked about the encounter, Mr. Paatil told reporters: "BJP workers are themselves very strong, but I believe the target set by BJP workers for the upcoming elections will be achieved if the head of an important social and religious institution like Khodaldham Trust met the prime minister today."
The Ma Khodiyar temple in Kagvad, Rajkot district, is overseen by Shree Khodaldham Trust, a well-known socioreligious organization. The patron saint of the Leuva Patel neighborhood is Ma Khodiyar.
Mr. Patel is considered quite powerful among Gujarat's Patidar group, which is a sizable population.
He has, however, stayed out of politics thus far. In June of this year, he declared that he would not join any political party, ending months of rumors about his potential for entering politics.
To gain the community's support, which is essential for it in the Saurashtra area, the opposition Congress also made efforts to court Mr. Patel.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also said it would welcome Mr. Patel.
At the party's rally on September 28, he was last seen interacting with state Congress chairman Jagdish Thakor, MP Shaktisinh Gohil, and other party officials at Khodaldham shrine.