Surat: Thousands of BJP workers and supporters gathered here with as many as 1,000 cars to welcome local MP CR Patil who was visiting the city for the first time after becoming Gujarat BJP president. However Patil on his arrival at Surat airport told media persons that the rally was cancelled over concerns of social distancing.

Patil said he arrived at airport and saw the drone-captured pictures of 1500-2000 cars gathered for rally. Patil said he also felt that rally of over 1,000 cars in the city may create an issue, and therefore he decided to request the leaders to drop the idea of procession.

Patil said, ‘I was assured by party leaders and workers that they will take care of social distancing and also see that none is infected. The arrangements were also made well by them. But now kilometers of long queue of cars is there and we don’t want to take smallest risk in Covid-19 pandemic situation. They have feelings for me and they are willing to express it but I have requested that all of them gathered with 1500-2000 cars should leave the place and go back to back. At the same time I have also requested to postpone another rally of 1,000 cars planned tomorrow at Maroli, Navsari, Gandevi by party’s local MLA and leaders.’

Patil said he would meet party workers through web and other modes.

A 25-km road show was arranged keeping social distancing requirements in mind, party leaders in Surat had earlier claimed adding that only cars were allowed to participate in this road show. Announcements were being made continuously that each car must have maximum 3 persons inside ….. all participants of rally must wear masks and social distancing must be maintained.

સુરત અને નવસારીની કાર-રેલી રદ કરાઇ છે.
આ શહેરને કે શહેરનાં લોકોને નુકશાન ન થાય એ માટે હું કોઇપણ ભોગ આપવા તૈયાર છું, કાર-રેલી તો નાની વાત છે-ભવિષ્યમાં પણ શહેરનાં લોકો માટે કોઇપણ ભોગ આપવાની મારી તૈયારી છે.

ભવિષ્યમાં વિડીયો કોન્ફરન્સનાં માધ્યમથી કાર્યકર્તાઓ-સમર્થકો સાથે વાત કરીશ.

— C R Paatil (@CRPaatil) July 24, 2020

A one km long flag of BJP was brought to rally venue. The procession was to start at Valak Patiya and end at CR Patil’s office in Udhna area of city.

CR’s name was announced as new Gujarat BJP chief on July 20 from Delhi. CR took over the office of state party chief the next day and addressed party leaders and media at State party headquarters. On 22nd July he gave interviews to Gujarati media channels and also participated in party’s core committee meeting. Yesterday CR was in Delhi where he met PM Narendra Modi, HM Amit Shah, party’s national organization leader BL Santosh, MoS Mansukh Mandaviya among others.

The procession to welcome him was planned for today starting at 12 noon.

DeshGujarat