“I used to go to his residence to dine with him. It was a good friendship and I believe that personal friendship should remain,” he said.
“We never used to call him Ahmedbhai. For years, we used to call him Babubhai. This is not known outside. For us Ahmedbhai was Babubhai. But in public life he has to be given respect. It will not look good if I call him Babubhai. Calling him Mian Sahab is very honourable and I use this honourable word,” he said responding to questions including as to why he used to call Patel ‘Mianbhai'.
Responding to it, Patel said, “I do not know who are and who are not his friends in Congress, but if somebody is saying that I was very close to him or is very close friend....It is all to create doubts in the midst of elections. It is all baseless and ridiculous, a complete lie.
“If he proves that I ever visited his house or his office or taken any favour, I will quit public life”.
Attacking Modi, Patel said, “how can someone who abuses my leaders and my party be a friend of mine. I will prefer to quit public life but cannot do anything which can hurt my leaders or my party.”
