Surat to welcome PM Modi, Hardik Patel today

It could be plain coincidence that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel will be in Surat at the same time on Sunday.

When Patel does a show of power in the south Gujarat city, the PM will make a night halt at the city during his two-day tour.

While the PAAS is preparing to host 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh spectators at Hardik's rally, there are murmurs about a possible confrontation between PAAS supporters and BJP workers in the city.

PAAS convener in Surat, Dharmik Malaviya, said, "Hardik's roadshow will pass through six Assembly constituencies dominated by the Patel community. BJP's central poll offices for each of the constituency also fall on the route of our roadshow. So it is possible that there might be some friction between PAAS and BJP workers, as the atmosphere is highly charged here. It is possible that someone from either side could try to create turbulence just to create tension."

"We have 400 volunteers who would try to placate and pacify the participants of the roadshow. We expect that 1.5 to 2 lakh people would attend the rally and it will be a challenging task to get through with it peacefully. We have received the required permission for the roadshow and rally, so we are not very worried, as police personnel will be deployed in sufficient number," added Dharmik Malaviya.

Meanwhile, the PAAS has made all efforts to make the show a success and the grandest ever as the polls in Surat will be held on December 9. Hardik has not been favouring the Congress directly, but in Surat, he will felicitate all the Congress candidates, giving a clear indication of his support to the party. It is also possible Naresh Patel, a trustee of Khodaldham trust, a religious institute of the Leuva Patel community in Saurashtra, would make an appearance.

Dharmik said, "We will felicitate all the Congress candidates contesting from the Assembly seats in Surat. This will be a clear indication of our support. Hardik will reiterate his agenda — to ensure the BJP's defeat. There will be leaders from the Patel community who would come on the dais to declare their support for us."

The PAAS has been approaching the people through door-to-door campaign, social media, voice calls and SMSes to invite them to Hardik's roadshow and rally. The PAAS has also opened offices at different locations across the city to facilitate those who wish to join them. The PAAS has put up banners and cutouts of Hardik at various locations.

FEAR OF CLASH

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a night halt in Surat as part of his two-day tour.
   
• Hardik Patel will hold a roadshow and rally, covering six assembly constituencies in Surat.