New Delhi: The Paatidar leader Hardik Patel, who recently quit Congress over differences with top leadership, will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday.
Hardik’s likely switchover to BJP comes months ahead of Gujarat Assembly elections and in all likelihood is expected to have a significant bearing on polls. Being a strong voice of Paatidars, the youth leader enjoys good clout among the community and will wield his authority during the elections.
Reports suggest that the BJP was wooing him for sometime as the saffron party looks to retain power in the state for sixth consecutive term.
The 28-year old leader quit Congress on May 18 with a lacerating resignation letter to party president. Patel started his political journey in 2019 by joining the grand old party but after getting sidestepped & slighted by the top leadership for over 3 years, he decided to snap ties with the party.
In his searing resignation note, he came down heavily on Delhi based leaders who descended to Gujarat but had no time to contemplate & act on nagging development issues. In an apparent dig at Rahul Gandhi, he wrote that the top leaders were more engrossed in their mobile phone screens rather than taking interest in local issues. Also, lashing out at the local leaders, he said that they were more worried about arranging chicken sandwiches for Delhi masters.
Hardik Patel, when questioned by media, repeatedly denied joining any party. However, reports citing his close associates claim that the Paatidar leader has made up his mind and is willing to join BJP.
Recently, he also tore into Congress for its opposition to Ram Temple campaign and said that a party can’t be seen mocking the Hindu religious faith, a move seen as warming up to the BJP.
