Rahul Gandhi meets Patidar leaders in Gujarat

Meeting by the Congress Vice-President was significant as BJP is battling a growing trust deficit with Patels

In the backdrop of growing resentment against BJP among the Patidars in Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday held interaction with leaders from the community to formulate strategy for the Assembly elections next year.

The meeting by the Congress Vice-President was significant as the BJP is battling a growing trust deficit with the Patels, as Patidars are known all over.

The community has been a strong supporter of the BJP for long which had ensured a smooth run for the party in successive elections.

BJP, which is in power in the state for the past over two decades, has been losing grip over the powerful community which has been demanding reservation.

Former president of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee Siddharth Patel, projected as the party's Patel face in the state, was prominent among those present at the meeting.

Siddharth is the son of the late chief minister Chimanbhai Patel.