News Analysis India

Tag: Naresh Patel

  • Gujarat: Naresh Patel plays a waiting game; says yet to decide on political entry

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: Naresh Patel, an influential Patidar leader, is yet to reveal what his plans are amid speculations that he is set to join the Congress party.

    The head of the Shree Khodaldham Trust which manages the temple of Khodal Mata had visited Delhi lately. However, he denied to the media his Delhi visit had anything to do with politics. He denied having met the congress top brass. He admitted that he met Prashant Kishor. He said that Hardik Patel had met him. But Naresh Patel summed up that he is yet to make up his mind about taking a plunge into politics. On that question, Patel said he will decide by May 15.

    “The decision to enter politics is a serious matter. I do not want to take a decision in a hurry and get into trouble. I have to answer you, and my community too. However, I do not lack decision-making power.  I will announce my decision by May 15 on whether I want to take a plunge into politics or not. Or I will tell you which party I am going to join,” he told media persons.

    “It is true that I met Prashant Kishor earlier. I also met Prashant Kishor at a wedding in Delhi yesterday. I can’t reveal what we discussed there. Apart from this, I also met Hardik Patel a few days ago. He has two or three questions. We are thinking of solving it,” he hinted. 

    “People say that Prashant Kishor has joined the Congress. But I cannot say anything specifically, I am not an authorized person to speak about it. And, yes there are rumours that Hardik Patel is going to join BJP. And if he does so then that is his personal decision.” 

    However, after the denial of Naresh Patel, sources say he had a meeting with top congress leaders. Importantly, sources said earlier Prashant Kishor had urged Naresh Patel to join the Congress, while Naresh Patel had laid down the conditions for joining the congress only if Prashant Kishor joined the Congress. Earlier, Naresh Patel has held meetings with Congress, BJP, and AAP leaders.

    Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress In-charge Raghu Sharma Said “Naresh Patel is a social and respected leader. It is a pleasure if he had met the Congress High Command. A leader like Naresh Patel is welcome in the Congress. His presence will make the party stronger.”

    Meanwhile, Hardik Patel has changed his social media DP today. Earlier, his WhatsApp DP had a Congress symbol and it said, “I will fight and win.” Hardik’s DP was still the same till yesterday, i.e. till April 22. But today, his DP has changed and he put a formal photo. However, Hardik’s Facebook page and Twitter handle have the same profile picture with the congress logo. 

    It may be recalled that Hardik Patel had praised the BJP on Friday.

  • Gujarat Congress claims industrialist and Patidar leader Naresh Patel will join party

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Industrialist Naresh Patel, an influential Patidar community leader in Gujarat who is also chairman of the Khodaldham Temple Trust, will “soon” join the Congress, leaders of the opposition party claimed on Wednesday.

    Assembly elections in the BJP-ruled Gujarat are due by the end of this year.

    Naresh Patel, a prominent figure in the numerically strong Patidar community, had earlier indicated that he was keen to join politics.

    This had led to political parties like the BJP, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) extending an invitation to him.

    “Naresh Patel will soon join the Congress party,” Gujarat Congress vice-president Hemang Vasavda claimed.

    Vasavda quashed speculation that Naresh Patel will be declared the Congress chief ministerial candidate ahead of polls, saying a decision in this regard will be taken by the party’s central leadership.

    Naresh Patel, an industrialist, is a Leuva Patidar, a sub-caste of the community.

    He became popular in the community after a trust headed by him built a massive temple of Mother Khodiyar at Kagwad in the Saurashtra region.

    His clout had increased during the Patidar community’s agitation for reservation in jobs and education some years ago.

    The Congress, sitting in opposition in Gujarat for more than two decades now, hopes to win over the Patidar community before the elections.

    The Congress had taken support of quota agitation leader Hardik Patel before the 2017 Assembly elections and he eventually joined the opposition party.

    This time they are hoping Naresh Patel will help them win over Patidar votes.

    The ruling BJP refrained from commenting on the Congress claim on Naresh Patel and said it will wait for an official announcement about his political plunge.

    “Everybody is free to join whichever party they wish to. In this case Naresh Patel is a senior community leader. We will give our reaction at an appropriate time after a public announcement is made,” said state education minister and BJP leader Jitu Vaghani.

    The AAP sounded sceptical about the Congress claim on the Patidar community leader.

    “I personally cannot believe the news that Naresh Patel will join a sinking ship like the Congress party. We had sent an invitation to Patel to join our party,” AAP state head Gopal Italia said.

    Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel had last week said that for Naresh Patel “the BJP is the best party to join”.

    Naresh Patel was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.

    On Monday, the Patidar community leader had said he was keen to join politics and will take a final call after consulting his supporters.