When Vallabhbhai got settled in Ahmedabad, Vithalbhai stopped the work of advocate in Bombay and started the work of social service. With this the responsibility of nurturing both the families fell on Vallabhbhai. Vallabhbhai gladly accepted this responsibility. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915. He was also a Gujarati like Vallabhbhai.
He was also a lawyer like Vallabhbhai. Like Vallabhbhai, he also passed the barrister's examination from London. The difference was that Gandhi was the son of a princely diwan and Patel grew up in a farmer's bale. The difference was also that Gandhiji used to advocate in South Africa but Vallabhbhai in India.
The difference was also that while the British in South Africa had insulted Gandhi so much that he returned to India in tears, the white magistrates of India were afraid to face Vallabhbhai. Became active in politics.
In those days Patel had no special place for Gandhi. Once when Patel's friend Mavalankar was going to listen to Gandhi's speech, Patel asked him what would you do after listening to Gandhi's speech? He preaches celibacy to the British. Can there be any benefit in reciting Bhagwat to buffalo?