New Delhi: In a significant political development ahead of Gujarat assembly elections to be held later this year, the working president of Gujarat Congress Hardik Patel has quit the grand old party today. This comes after multiple reports of Patel being upset with the state leadership. Around two weeks ago he had also removed his Twitter bio which said he is the working president of the Gujarat Congress fueling speculations that all is not well with him and the party members.
Hardik Patel took to Twitter to inform about his resignation. He posted the resignation letter and said in Hindi, " Today, after gathering a lot of courage I have resigned from the post of Congress Party and primary membership of the party. I am sure that my decision will be welcomed by all my colleagues and the people of Gujarat. I believe that after this step of mine, I will be able to work really positively for Gujarat in the future."
According to ABP news sources, Hardik Patel will join the Bhartiya Janata Party in the coming two weeks. Sources also said that Patel has not placed any demands for BJP and the saffron party is planning a startegy to bring him on board.
The national Congress leadership had earlier reached out to Hardik Patel asking him to continue with the party. According to an ANI report, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had reached Hardik Patel to sort out differences in the party unit ahead of state assembly polls
Rahul Gandhi has himself sent a message to Hardik Patel asking him to continue in the party. He has also asked the party in charge and other leaders to reach out to Patel to sort out the differences, the ANI report quoted the party sources
Why was Hardik Patel 'upset' with Congress?
It is being said that Patel has been angry with the Congress state leadership because of the lack of preference given to him within the party, the ANI report quoted sources.
He had also issued a clarification earlier that he is not upset with party leaders Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi but he is upset with the state leadership. "I am not upset with Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi. I am upset with the state leadership. Why am I upset? Elections are coming up and in such times work should be done together with honest and strong people. They should be given positions," he added.
According to reports, Patel who rose to prominence in July 2015 by leading a Patidar reservation movement has been upset with the party leadership for a long time.
"He wanted to become president of the state Congress committee but he was only made the working president. Despite being appointed as the working president his opinion is not taken on major decisions by the state leadership," said sources.
After his denial of joining the BJP, speculations are that he might join Aam Aadmi Party, said the ANI report. The Gujarat Assembly elections are slated to be held this year.