Did fake PMO official hold meeting on G20, asks Gujarat Congress leader

Chavda supported the resolution while stating that it is a matter of pride that India has got presidency of G20. He also added that it will propel the development of tourism in the state.

He, however, said that there was “one blot” attached with the G20 in Gujarat for which “all of us” should be concerned.

“Kiran Patel was (reportedly) holding meetings related to G20 events. I do not know what the Gujarat IB, police apparatus, and the state administration were doing. But, a man who has attained notoriety as conman in the entire Gujarat (reportedly) held meetings. This should be investigated,” Chavda said.

“When it is related to G20, clarification must be done,” he added.

Stating that the state government must give a clarification on whether Kiran Patel held meetings or not, Chavda said that if any of the current secretaries of the state government took part in the reported meeting then they should also be questioned.

Later, speaking with The Indian Express Chavda said that he sought a clarification from the state government on the entire issue “else it will prove to be a blot on all of us”.

Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput spoke on the resolution in the House. However, he did not reply to the demand of clarification on Kiran Patel holding G20 related meetings raised by Chavda.

The resolution was passed unanimously in the House.

Kiran Patel has been accused of hosting an event under the G20 banner in January this year.

Dinesh Navadiya, a Surat-based diamond merchant and VHP member, who is the former chairman of Gujarat region of Gems and Jewellery Export promotion Council (GJEPC), told The Indian Express Wednesday, “In the first week of January (2023), I received a call from an anonymous number in which the caller identified himself as Dr. Kiran Patel, and said he was working in the PMO office in New Delhi. Patel told me that my (Navadiya), name had been suggested by Former senior IAS officer (retired ACS) S K Nanda, to remain present in the panelist for G 20 summit to be held in last week of that January.”

Navadiya reportedly told him that he had already booked a flight on January 29 for Belgium on a business tour. However Navadiya later cancelled his business tour to attend the “G-20 summit”.

Navadiya told The Indian Express that Patel had earlier shared names of panelists like retired IAS officer ACS Gujarat S K Nanda… I attended the meeting and saw all these dignitaries present with me and I was shocked, as what he said was true”.

Talking to the Indian Express, retired IAS officer S K Nanda said, “In the G-20 summit , he (Kiran Patel) came to us to organise a panel discussion seminars. To invite the speakers and experts in different fields like Arts and culture, Gems and Jewellery, Skills and Investments, etc., he had a few names, and I have given him list of name of dignitaries which included Dinesh Navadiya, who was former Chairman of Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.”

On Tuesday, at a press conference to announce an upcoming G20 event in Gandhinagar, to a question if the state government will take any action against conman Kiran Patel who is believed to have organised a private event under the banner of G20 at a five-star hotel in the state, Principal Secretary (Economic Affairs) Mona Khandhar told mediapersons, “I have no knowledge about it and so cannot comment.”