By NewsGram Staff Writer
Surat: At a recent auction, a 62 year-old diamond merchant, Laljibhai Patel, had bought the suit which Prime Minister Narendra Modi wore during his meeting with US President Barack Obama. Patel has subsequently been favored under a scheme by Surat Municipal Corporation. Speculations are now being raised about the land given to Laljibhai Patel by the Municipal Corporation.
According to a news portal, land worth 54 crores was given to him as a goodwill gesture. Patel had bought the suit for 4.31 crores and had made three bids – Rs. 2.08 crore, Rs. 2.51 crore and Rs. 4.31 crore.
Other bidders participated in the process with great enthusiasm, though were left with mixed feelings after Patel claimed the suit whose base price was 11 lakhs. Some of the people present there were happy that at least the money is being used for a good cause while the others who could not enter the gates to witness the auction were left disappointed.