Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi kicked off a three-day Gujarat campaign on Monday with prayers at the famous Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka and was welcomed by Patidar protest leader Hardik Patel.
The campaign will focus on the politically crucial Saurashtra region, a Patidar community heartland that has been a stronghold of the ruling BJP for almost three decades.
The state police have refused the Congress leader permission to hold an open-jeep roadshow, leaving him with a consolation to take out a bullock cart yatra.
Gandhi prayed at the temple and met some religious leaders in the morning and will address meeting later.
Rahul was also welcomed by Hardik, who has so far been quiet on possibly supporting the Congress in upcoming state elections.
