As politicking intensifies in Gujarat in the election year, opposition Congress has still not lost hopes of Naresh Patel, a Patidar face from Saurashtra region, joining its fold.
The hopes have not dashed even after its working president in Gujarat, Hardik Patel, quit the party. In fact, a day after Hardik quit the Congress, party leaders called on Naresh Patel on Thursday and sources said that they had a meeting for about two hours at his farmhouse near Rajkot.
Naresh Patel, along with Gujarat Congress president Jagdish Thakor and party in-charge Raghu Sharma, reportedly, had a meeting with the party high command in New Delhi on Friday.
Given that the Patidars constitute over sixth of the state's population of 6.5 crore, Naresh Patel’s importance is evident. As head of the Shree Khodaldham Trust, he has hold over the Patidar community, especially in Saurashtra and some parts of south Gujarat.
The 56-year-old industrialist hails from the Leuva sub-caste of the Patidars. He is soft-spoken and commands respect in social circles and the business fraternity.
He had made his intentions clear about joining politics a couple of months ago. However, sources said that the decision has been delayed after election strategist Prashant Kishor declined to join the party.
After Hardik’s exit, the Congress would be desperate to have Naresh Patel onboard as a Patidar face. He is expected to announce his decision soon, a state Congress leader told THE WEEK.
Patidars traditionally vote for the BJP and they follow their leaders. In 2017, the Congress got the benefit of Patidar reservation stir of 2015 headed by Hardik, with the party bagging 77 of the 182 seats. However, its strength now stands at 63, with MLAs resigning and majority of them joining the BJP.
Ahead of elections, which is to be a three-cornered contest between the BJP, the Congress and the AAP, the saffron party would not want Naresh Patel to join the Congress. There was a grapevine that his son could be given an assembly ticket, but there has been no confirmation.
The BJP aims to break the record of 149 seats set by Congress’s Madhavsinh Solanki in 1985 - a feat even Narendra Modi could not achieve as the chief minister of Gujarat. Hence, it would try to ensure that there is no dip in its vote share.
Naresh Patel had initiated a survey of sorts in his community. He has neither revealed the outcome nor has he announced which party he would join.
Sources said he is unlikely to join the AAP.
