Angered by the top leadership for “isolating” him and the Gujarat Congress’s “working style” ahead of the crucial state assembly elections, the party’s state unit working president Hardik Patel claimed that he would be invited to any meeting organized by the state. had not been. The unit and decision was never consulted before. He asked top officials not to “insult” him.
Assembly elections are due in December this year in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress is in direct competition with the ruling BJP in the state.
The Indian Express quoted him as saying, “My position in the party is that of a new groom, who has undergone sterilisation.”
Hardik on Wednesday claimed that he was sidelined in the state unit and the leadership was not ready to use his skills. Interestingly, Hardik expressed his displeasure a day after he hinted at contesting the elections, a day after the Supreme Court stayed his sentence in the 2015 riots and arson case.
In 2015, Hardik had led a campaign by the Patidar community demanding reservation under the OBC category in Gujarat. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Hardik questioned the Congress leadership over the “delay” in inducting popular Patidar leader Naresh Patel into the party.
“The kind of talks that are taking place regarding the inclusion of Naresh Patel in the Congress is an insult to the entire community. It’s been over two months now. Why has no decision been taken yet? The Congress high command or the local leadership should take a quick decision about inducting Naresh Patel,” he said and claimed that the Patidar reservation movement helped the Congress win a significant number of seats in the local bodies elections in 2015 and 2017 assemblies. helped when the opposition party won 77 constituents in the 182-member house.
“But what happened after that? Many people in Congress also feel that Hardik was not used properly by the party after 2017. This may be because some people in the party will think that if I am given importance today I will come his way after 5 or 10 years.” , who became the working president of Gujarat in 2020.
Congress benefited because of us (Patel community) in 2017 elections. Now, as I see on television, the party wants to include Naresh Patel for the 2022 elections. I hope they don’t look for a new Patel for 2027 elections. Why doesn’t the party use those they already have?” Hardik asked.
When asked about Hardik’s remarks about Naresh Patel, Gujarat Congress President Jagdish Thakor said the party is ready to welcome him. Congress is ready to welcome Naresh Patel. The ball is now in Naresh Patel’s court. We had discussed him earlier also and requested him to join the party. But, ultimately the final decision will be taken by him.” Thakor also said that a meeting will be held with Hardik to understand his complaint.
(with inputs from PTI)
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