Only miniscule group of Patels opposing PM Narendra Modi's US visit: OFBJP

WASHINGTON: Blaming it on political opponents, the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) has claimed that only a miniscule group of Patels are opposing the US visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month.

In a statement, OFBJP said an overwhelming majority of the Patel community in the US are whole heartedly supporting Modi's visit to the country.

"Only a miniscule group of Patels are making noises," OFBJP said, refuting reports that about 1,000 Patels met in Edison, New Jersey on September 9 and made a decision to boycott Modi's US programs.

"Only about 30-40 people met during that meeting," the OFBJP said.

In the statement, OFBP-USA national executive committee including president Chandrakant Patel; past president Jayesh Patel; office bearers Shri Raju Patel, Arvind Patel and Vasudev Patel et al said that over 500 Indian organisations are involved in organising the grand community reception event in San Francisco.

"These organising groups also include the entire Patel community, Gujarati, Hotel and Motel Owners, Christian, and Muslim associations of USA," they added.

OFBJP-USA appealed to this small group of Patels to withdraw their ill-advised protest and work with the Indian Diaspora in the successful conduct of the community reception.