‘If BJP’s Strong, Why Are They Luring Cong MLAs?’: Hardik Patel

Hardik Patel will join the Congress in presence of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday 12 March in Ahmedabad

File Photo: People welcome PAAS convener Hardik Patel on arrival at his home town Viramgam some of 65 Kms from Ahmedabad on Saturday. 

(Photo: PTI)

A day before officially joining the Congress, Hardik Patel spoke with The Quint and criticised the BJP for poaching Congress MLAs in Gujarat.

“If the Congress is weak, then why is the BJP poaching our MLAs and making them ministers. If they were truly strong why would they lure Congress MLAs. Shouldn’t they ideally make their own MLAs ministers,” said Hardik.

Hardik, who has been in the political spotlight in Gujarat since August 2015 made it quite clear why he is joining the Congress in the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.

“This is the party of Gandhi, Bose, Nehru and our very dear Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This is the party that fought for the nation’s independence and built the nation post independence. My focus is to address the woes of the farmers, the youth of the country and find solutions to the problems faced by our citizens. We want to return India to its former glory.”

Hardik Patel, PAAS Convenor

A Grand Welcome to the Grand Old Party in Store

On Tuesday, the Congress Working Committee meeting will be convened in Ahmedabad and a Jan Sankalp Rally will be held in the outskirts of the city, where Hardik will join Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi on stage.

According to a PAAS insider, around 35,000 Patidar supporters are expected at the rally on Tuesday. He said, “They have already made sitting arrangements for 1.15 lakh people and our supporters will come in their hordes.”

When asked what the agenda for the upcoming polls will be, Hardik made it clear that it won’t be about the reservation issue.

“Don’t we want the Rs15 lakh in our accounts? Don’t we want to see two crore jobs in the market? Don’t we want to see 10 enemies killed for every solider that is martyred? We want to bring back Dawood, Nirav Modi, Mallya and black money back to the country. We want to double the farmers’ income.”

Hardik Patel, PAAS Convenor

He further added, “There are so many issues to work on, such as education and health. The future generation should say that we are living in country where there is no shortage of anything.”

Not Worried About Sedition Case

Hardik was quick to respond when asked about the application filed in the Gujarat High Court against the sedition case filed against him.

“We are in no rush to contest the elections neither is there an urge to win the polls and become a leader or politician. We will wait for the court’s mandate; if I cant contest the elections even then its fine.”

Hardik Patel, PAAS Convenor

Hardik told The Quint that he has already spoken to the party and that he would most likely contest the polls from Jamnagar.