Gujarat Polls 2017 : Hardik Patel speaks about his joining to Congress party

Gujarat Polls 2017 : Hardik Patel speaks about his joining to Congress party

Hardik Patel, the new hero of Patidar community, is campaigning against the BJP and canvassing for the Congress. He is not old enough to contest an election but it is quite clear the Congress will be his choice. But he has a condition.

He says he will be with Rahul Gandhi, who has matured into a fine politician. “People pay attention to what he says. If Congress makes an offer, I will join the party,” Hardik Patel said.

He was quick to add that he would follow what his community, the Patidars, ask him to. “And if the Patidar community wants me to join the Congress party, I will join the Congress party,” he said.

Some of Hardik Patel’s closest advisers have deserted him. Many of them have joined Congress alleging that Hardik Patel hijacked the PAAS to make his career and truck with the Congress.

His friends-turned-foes say the PAAS was supposed to be a non-political movement solely for the purpose of demanding reservation for Patels but Hardik betrayed the idea by joining hands with Rahul Gandhi.

Hardik Patel blames the BJP for this. “The BJP pressured them into leaving me. But you can see that it has not affected my popularity. There is no effect on the crowds coming to my rallies,” Hardik told.

Since his ally Congress has been equivocal on the prickly issue of Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi controversy, Hardik is reluctant to tackle the subject. Hindu Patels have been supporting a construction of a grand temple in Ayodhya.

Hardik Patel does a balancing act here and uses this to bring the debate to his main plank: unemployment.

“Both a temple and a mosque can be constructed at the site but building a temple will not help raise employment. The BJP is trying to divert public attention and the people of Gujarat can see through this attempt,” he said.

When asked about the abuses hurled at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Congressmen, Hardik Patel reverts with a question: “What about the barbs and jibes Mr Modi aims at Sonia and Rahul Gandhi?”

“If Modi is so hurt by verbal attacks on him and wants people to apologise, why does he not apologise for brutal physical assault on Patel youths in Gujarat,” he asks.

As many as 13 agitating Patel youths were killed and scores were injured when the police tried to break their blockade across the state when the PAAS-led movement peaked in 2015-2016.

Hardik Patel and his colleagues were arrested in a case of treason. The treason case was later withdrawn. He was barred from entering Gujarat for months.