Hardik Patel denies joining BJP, but finds 'some things good'

Congress leader in Gujarat Hardik Patel, who has been vocal about his displeasure with the grand old party, appears to be hinting at aligning with BJP months ahead of the state assembly elections this year.

The Patidar leader, who led an agitation of the powerful “Patidar” community for quota in Gujarat in 2015, has said that “some things that are good about the BJP and we must acknowledge that.” But he has denied joining the BJP.

“The recent decisions that BJP has taken politically, we have to accept that they have the strength to take such steps. I believe that without even taking their side or praising them, we can at least acknowledge the truth. If the Congress wants to become strong in Gujarat, then we have to improve our decision-making skills and decision-making power,” Hardik Patel told NDTV.

But he insisted that he was not quitting the Congress and joining the party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also from Gujarat.

“Why should I sever ties? There is no such discussion. We speak the truth. In our families also when we speak to our parents, we tell the truth. I am only speaking the truth so that the people accept the party,” he said. “No, there are no talks. I am not thinking of the BJP and I am not talking to the BJP. The discussion is about the people of Gujarat and in the interest of the people and I have to do something good for them.”

“I am not tilting to any side. When there is a lack of will power then there are many options before you. I don’t have shortage of will power and I will work for the benefit of the state. And if I have to take any decision in this regard, I will take it.”

In a recent outburst, Hardik Patel had said that he felt like a “groom forced into nasbandi (vasectomy)”. As per reports, he is apparently upset about Congress planning to get prominent Patidar leader Naresh Patel into its fold.

Also read: After Hardik’s outburst against Cong, AAP invites him to join party

Despite being a prominent leader with huge following during the Patidar agitation, Hardik Patel has lost his popularity over time. His joining the Congress did not help the party win the 2017 state elections.

He however said that he was angry with the state leadership of the party. “I have no personal anger against anyone but I am angry with the state leadership. The state leadership has a responsibility in the interest of the state and in that I see conflict and a storm. Some things can be resolved quickly but it is not done. When someone speaks the truth in the party he is viewed differently as if he is about to go,” he said.

“The state leadership is not letting me work. They are stopping me from working. It is normal that I will talk about it,” he said.

The Patidar leader however said he had conveyed his concerns to the party “high command” which had told him that decisions would be taken soon.