Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary, Ahmed Patel, celebrated the commencement of new Vikram Samvat 2066 by meeting tribals in the interior village of Umarva of Dediapada taluka in the state’s most backward district of Narmada on Monday.

Patel reached the village unannounced and held a feast for over 3,000 tribals from nearby villages. It may be mentioned here that he is not the first Congress leader to do something like that. Party general secretary Rahul Gandhi is known for such people-friendly moves.

The tribal belt of Dediapada is part of the Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency, from which Patel had been elected thrice. Hence, he is well acquainted with the people and their culture.

Congress leaders from Narmada district said Patel drove straightaway to the village panchayat hall, where he made food arrangements for the people without the knowledge of the district party leaders. The only party member who knew about it was Dediapada Congress MLA Amarsinh Vasava.

Arif Vazirdar, who accompanied Patel, said the visit was kept a secret because the senior leader did not want a crowd and publicity. He only wanted to wish the tribals of the interior areas on the occasion of the new Samvat year.

After meeting the adivasis, Patel immediately left for Vadodara, where he boarded the Rajdhani Express to New Delhi.

Patel’s visit to the tribals is being given much importance. In a similar move a month ago, Rahul Gandhi had visited Dalits in some villages in eastern UP’s most backward district and dined and stayed with them during the night.

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