The Congress cavalcade -- which reached the collector's office at 3 pm -- was also joined by a number of party workers and Patchigar's supporters, representing all sections of society, including the minorities who were `hibernating' after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

This is, say observers, primarily because the Congress had fielded a ``suitable and popular candidate'' who had a clean image and did not belong to any group.

Rajendra Chokhawala and Mahendra Kajiwala, both former presidents of Chamber, were also present at the collectorate. A Chamber representative had come all the way from Navsari to garland Patchigar.

Impressed by the number of workers at the collectorate, Patel said ``I can see a miracle happening. A miracle had happened when I defeated the then strongman Ashok Mehta''.

Patel, who had represented Surat Lok Sabha seat for two terms, said, ``A time comes when every strong politician's popularity graph goes down. Union Textile Minister Kashirman Rana is in the similar situation. He may be defeated like I had defeated Ashok Mehta''.

While Patel claimed that the Congress party would capture 15 seats in Gujarat, former environment minister Bhagu Vimal said, ``If the Congress improves it performance in Surat, it will indicate the Congress will soon come to power in the State.''

Though it is a difficult battle, it is not an impossible one, considering the mood of minority community, the single largest vote bank, asserted Vimal, pointing out that it will not be a hands down victory for Rana, who had ``failed to solve many issues relating to industry including the weavers' problems and GEB rates impasse''.

Lambasting the BJP government for its alleged non-performance, Patchigar said, ``The BJP rule had proved disastrous for trade and industry and it is only the Congress which can provide a stable government.''

It may be noted that the Masjid demolition had such a negative impact on the minority community that its members abstained from voting during the last two Lok Sabha elections.

And with the Congress losing its predominant party status, because of the minorities drifting away from it, the change in the attitude of the minority community this time round seems to have spelt good news for the Congress.