Ending speculations about his political plans, Patidar reservation stir leader Hardik Patel said on Wednesday that he would be contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The announcement came amid reports that he could contest from Mehsana or Amreli seats.
"I will definitely contest the 2019 elections," Hardik, who turned 25 last July, told reporters in UP in response to a question.
Hardik, who had supported the Congress in 2017 state Assembly elections and even got tickets for a few of his supporters, did not reveal which party he would contest from.
"We will decide about it later," he said.
Reacting to the announcement, Hardik's former aide Dinesh Bambhania dubbed the decision as a betrayal of Patidar community.
"Our demands for reservation, justice for families of martyrs, and punishment to whose who fired upon Patidars, have not been met. We had promised not to contest elections till demands are met. This is why this is a betrayal of the community," Bambhania said. He also warned Patidars against supporting Hardik in the elections.
Reports said that Hardik could contest in the elections from Mehsana, Amreli or Porbandar seats. While Mehsana was the hub of Patidar quota protests, Patel-dominated Amreli is seen as a safe bet. BJP had won Amreli seat in 2014, but in 2017, Congress had won five of the seven Assembly segments that are a part of it. Porbandar too has a significant Patidar population, and is represented by BJP leader Vitthal Radadiya.
Top leaders in the Congress said that no formal discussions have taken place with Hardik about contesting the elections. However, sources said it is likely that he may contest as an independent candidate with Congress's support.
"It is too early to say anything. A decision will be taken by the central leadership," said a leader.
When asked to comment about Hardik's announcement, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said that every citizen has the right to contest elections.
Earlier, the Patidar quota stir leader said, "An atmosphere is taking shape in the country to save the constitution, to remove BJP, and to save this country. A big fight will be launched for this. Mamata Didi (Banerjee) has begun the fight from West Bengal."