Ahmedabad: With just months to go before the Gujarat Assembly elections, state Vice President Hardik Patel has expressed his displeasure with the Congress leadership. Hardik added that he was not invited to any meeting of the state Congress and would not be consulted before making decisions.
“The situation in the Congress party is that of a sterilized newcomer,” Hardik added in an interview with national media. Hardik, a prominent leader of the Patel community, has been accused of being shunned by state leaders. Moreover, Hardik is reportedly unhappy with the attempt to bring in another prominent leader and big businessman, Naresh Patel.
In the run-up to the 2017 Gujarat elections, Hardik was brought into the party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. In 2020, he was given the title of Working President. Hardick’s remarks ahead of the next election in December are causing unrest among the leadership.
‘Bringing Naresh Patel into the party is tantamount to insulting the entire Patel community. It’s been two months now. Why not make a decision. The decision on Naresh Patel should be taken immediately by the Congress High Command or the local leadership, ”Hardik added.
He spoke about the party’s problems the day after Hardik made it clear that he wanted to run in the election. It was the support of the Patel community that helped the Congress to hold on to the BJP in the 2015 local body elections and the 2017 Assembly elections. The Congress won 77 of the 182 seats in the Assembly.
‘But what happened after that? Many in Congress feel that Hardik has not been used much by the party since 2017. They may think that if they accept me today, five or ten years from now I will be bound to them.
The party is all set to field Naresh Patel in the 2022 elections. One can expect them not to look for another Patel in the 2027 elections. Why is the party not using their people? Don’t insult me ’- Hardik clarified.
Meanwhile, state Congress president Jagadish Thakur said he would talk to Hardik about his concerns.
English Summary: “Groom Forced Into Nasbandi”: Congress’s Hardik Patel Upset With Party