Congress leader Rahul Gandhi surprised everyone, including local party members, when he chose to dine at a local restaurant in Surat soon after his conviction by a local court in the Modi surname defamation case. After the court proceedings, Gandhi, accompanied by senior Congress leaders and lawyers, arrived at the Circuit House where he spent over 40 minutes with the lawyers and party leaders from the state. Later, as pre-planned, he proceeded for lunch at a five-star hotel at Athwalines. However, Gandhi, who is known to take detours, told his driver that he wished to have local Surat cuisine. Notwithstanding the reservations from the police team, who were taken aback by the change of plans, Gandhi and his convoy proceeded to Sasuma Restaurant at Majura Gate. The Wayanad MP also posed for photos and shook hands with the restaurant staff.
