Congress, which is facing the ire of working president Hardik Patel ahead of the elections in Gujarat, has stepped up efforts to persuade him. It is reported that former national president Rahul Gandhi has approached Patel to resolve differences in the party unit. Party general secretary Randeep Surjewala also confirmed that the leadership has spoken to Patel.
According to news agency ANI, party sources have claimed that Rahul Gandhi himself has sent a message to Patel, asking him to continue in the party. He has also asked the party in-charge and other leaders to contact Patel to resolve differences. Surjewala said, ‘Only state in-charge Raghu Sharma will release information about that conversation.’
What is going on in Gujarat Congress?
It is being said that Patel is upset over the lack of preference from the state Congress. On Monday, he removed the picture of ‘Congress’ from his Twitter bio and the party symbol from his profile picture. A senior party leader told the agency that if Hardik leaves the party, it will be a loss for the Congress.
There was speculation that Patel might join the BJP. However, Congress leaders have been continuously denying this and saying that Patel has no such plans. He also told that the working president is angry with the state leadership.
praise of BJP
Recently, Patel had praised the BJP government for the removal of Article 370 and for the construction of Ram temple. He had clarified that he is not angry with Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi, but with the state leadership. He had said, ‘I am not bothered by Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi. I am upset with the state leadership. Why am I upset? Elections are coming and in such times honest and strong people should work together. He should be given the post.
The agency quoted sources as saying, “He wanted to become the president of the Pradesh Congress Committee, but he was made only the working president.” Even after being the working president, his opinion is not taken in the decisions being taken by the state leadership. The special thing is that after the denial of joining the BJP, speculations are being made that Patel may join the Aam Aadmi Party.