Hardik Patel met Muslims in Godhra, urges to defeat ‘BJP’s divide and rule policy’

Godhra: Patidar movement leader Hardik Patel addressed farmers in Madheli village in Vadodara’s Waghodia taluka on Sunday said he is not joining any political party but will work for the community.

According to Indian Express, Patel also met members of the Muslim community in Godhra. Addressing them, he said we have to fight together for better government in this country. Attacking BJP he said, “BJP’s policy is divide and rule, they are even trying to divide Muslim community, in coming days we all have to fight for our rights united.” Anwar Kalandar, a scrap vendor who came to felicitate Patel, said, ” I have come here to support Hardik whatever he is doing for his community is necessary.” In an apparent reference to Congress MLA C K Raulji of Godhra who recently joined the BJP, Patel assured the gathering and said: “I am here to fight for your issues and rights, it is time we have to teach a lesson to those who have betrayed us.”

In a dramatic turn of events in poll-bound Gujarat, quota spearhead Hardik Patel’s key aides – Varun Patel and Reshma Patel – today joined the ruling BJP.

The development came hours after state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki invited Hardik Patel to join hands with the party. Solanki even promised to give an additional 20 per cent reservation to economically backward classes in the state if the Congress is voted to power in the upcoming assembly polls.

Varun and Reshma were among the prominent faces of the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and remained critical of the ruling BJP during the agitation.

They joined the BJP after a meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and state party chief Jitu Vaghani during its parliamentary board meeting, which was also attended by BJP president Amit Shah.