Gujarat: Hardik Patel likely to join Congress, contest Lok Sabha elections from Jamnagar, say sources

Hardik Patel. Photo: File

AHMEDABAD: Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel is likely to join the Congress party and contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Jamnagar constituency in Gujarat, sources said on Wednesday. Patel may join the grand old party after the meeting of the Congress Working Committee, party's highest decision-making body, which is scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad on March 12. The meeting of the Congress Working Committee was previously scheduled for Feb 28 in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. But the opposition party decided to postpone it after the Pulwama attack on Feb 14 in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed and the Indian Air Force's strike on a Jaish training camp in Pakistan on Feb 26. Party sources said now the meeting will be held on March 12 in Ahmedabad. The CWC would discuss the current political scenario and review the progress for the coming general election. The party's strategy for 2019 polls and its campaign roadmap are likely to be finalised at the meeting ahead of the announcement of the general election, expected in the coming days. Last month, Patel had last month hinted that he may contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "Yes, I may contest the elections but nothing has been worked out so far," he said adding that earlier his age did not constitutionally permit him to contest polls but now he was eligible after turning 25 in July 2018. Patel came into highlight with his agitation for reservation for the Patidar community in 2015. (With nputs from PTI)