Hardik Patel likely to join Congress, eyes Jamnagar seat

AHMEDABAD: Political circles in Gujarat are abuzz with talks of Patidar leader Hardik Patel formally joining Congress ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Hardik will “most likely” contest from Jamnagar amidst talks of him also weighing Amreli and Mehsana seats.
Sources in both Congress and Hardik’s Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) on Wednesday revealed that it is only a matter of time for the announcement to be made.
Congress sources said Hardik has met the party’s high command in Delhi and plans have been finalised for him to join the party this month. “The big announcement will be made public either at the Jan Sankalp rally after the Congress working committee meeting in Ahmedabad on March 12 or at the next public meeting of Congress president Rahul Gandhi,” said a top Gujarat Congress leader.
State Congress president Amit Chavda said, “Gujarat Congress will welcome Hardik Patel into the party if he wishes to join and even contest elections. He is a good community leader with strong pull amongst youths and farmers.”
Sources close to Hardik Patel said that he is most likely to contest from Jamnagar. “With a sizeable population of Patels, Muslim and Dalits, Hardik has a strong chance to pull it off in this constituency,” said a close aide