‘Small soldier in nation’s service under PM Modi’: Hardik Patel makes entry into BJP official

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 02, 2022: With Gujarat headed to the Assembly elections later this year, Patidar leader Hardik Patel made his joining the BJP official on Thursday morning via a tweet.

 

“With the feelings of national interest, state interest, public interest and social interest, I am going to start a new chapter from today. I will work as a small soldier in the noble work of service to the nation under the leadership of the successful Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi,” Hardik wrote in Hindi.

On Tuesday, ending speculation over Hardik’s next move after he walked out of the Congress on May 18, Gujarat BJP media convenor Yagnesh Dave had said: “Yes, he (Hardik) will join the BJP with his supporters at the party’s state headquarters Shree Kamalam. Party president C R Paatil will remain present on the occasion.”

राष्ट्रहित, प्रदेशहित, जनहित एवं समाज हित की भावनाओं के साथ आज से नए अध्याय का प्रारंभ करने जा रहा हूँ। भारत के यशस्वी प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र भाई मोदी जी के नेतृत्व में चल रहे राष्ट्र सेवा के भगीरथ कार्य में छोटा सा सिपाही बनकर काम करूँगा।

— Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) June 2, 2022

Reacting to the inclusion, a senior party leader, who did not wish to be named, had said: “To induct Hardik into the BJP is a decision of the party leadership. So, no party worker will say anything against it. But one thing is very clear that considering his (Hardik’s) past behaviour towards the party, nobody is happy with him. Even if he is taken into the party, I don’t think he will be welcomed heartily.”

Hardik, 28, catapulted to the political centrestage in 2015 when he spearheaded the Patidar quota agitation against the BJP government. It was instrumental in the ouster of the then Chief Minister, and current Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel.

Initially, the main demand of the Hardik-led agitation was the grant of OBC status for the Patidar community. Subsequently, it was altered with a demand for reservation for the economically weaker section (EWS). Hardik’s induction into the BJP is significant given that Assembly polls are due in the state later this year.

Once a fierce critic of the BJP, Hardik began praising the party leadership recently for steps like the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K and ensuring construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Following the quota agitation in which 14 Patidar lost their lives, Hardik openly supported the Congress in the run-up to the 2017 Assembly elections.

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Hardik joined the Congress in the presence of Rahul Gandhi. Subsequently, he was appointed Working President of the Congress in Gujarat. But differences with the party leadership emerged and there was talk that he had been sidelined and was not party to key decisions.

Eventually, on May 18, he resigned from the Congress, alleging that it was the “most casteist” and “anti-Gujarati” party.

Courtesy: Indian Express