Putting an end to months of speculation, Patidar leader Naresh Patel is tending “to go with the Congress.” Insiders stated that Naresh Bhai is waiting for the opportune moment to announce his decision.
Interestingly, the BJP, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have been trying to woo Naresh Patel. However, the leader, declined all saying HE “will make a decision when Patel Samaj tells him to.” Elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly are expected in December.
Naresh Patel is the president of Shree Khodaldham Trust (SKT), which manages the temple of Maa Khodiyar, revered by the Leuva Patel community. Leuva Patels are a sub-caste of the Patidar community residing mainly in Gujarat. The vote of the Patel community is considered to be highly influential and the fate of many seats depends on how the community votes.
Meanwhile Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee’s president, Hardik Patel had recently criticised the Congress party and said that Patidars leaders, including himself and Naresh Patel, were being insulted by the party. “Patidars helped Congress win good numbers in the 2017 elections. Now, Congress is insulting the same Patidars and Khodaldham Trust President, Naresh Patel. In the last two years, we have heard so much about Naresh Patel joining politics. Why is the party taking so much time to make the decision? Why is Congress insulting Naresh Patel and the Patidars? Is it so difficult to make this decision?”
Following his statement, state party leaders had called on him to discuss the matter.
