With Gujarat’s Assembly elections coming up later this year, Patidar leader Hardik Patel and his supporters are expected to join the BJP on June 2.
Gujarat BJP media convenor Yagnesh Dave said, “Yes, he (Hardik) will join the BJP with his supporters at the party’s state headquarters Shree Kamalam. Party president C R Paatil will remain present on the occasion.”
He declined comment when he was asked why was the ruling party inducting Hardik after the state had registered sedition cases against him. He said the authorised leadership of the party would clarify that at an appropriate time.
Another senior party leader said, “To induct Hardik into the BJP is a decision of the party leadership. So, no party worker will say anything against it. But one thing is very clear that considering his (Hardik’s) past behaviour towards the party, nobody is happy with him. Even if he is taken into the party, I don’t think he will be welcomed heartily.”
“By deciding to induct Hardik, our party has sent out a clear message to the people of Gujarat that his allegations against the BJP and its leadership were false,” the leader said.