Is Hardik Patel trying to tango with AAP?

His tweet congratulating Kejriwal for AAP victory in Delhi polls, AAP MP at his birthday bash fuel speculation ahead of RS polls

Political circles are abuzz with speculation that AAP, which is eager to expand its footprint after emphatic victory in Delhi Assembly polls, is wooing Congress Patidar leader Hardik Patel to join its ranks and spearhead the party in Gujarat. The speculation comes amid talks of Congress planning a major overhaul in its Gujarat unit ahead of Rajya Sabha polls to four seats in the state.

It all started with Hardik Patel tweeting his photograph with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and congratulating him for his victory in Delhi. The tweet came amid Congress failing to win even a single seat. Senior AAP leaders are likely to visit Gujarat in the month end to explore ways to strengthen its Gujarat unit by roping in prominent names. Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leaders rubbished such talks. “People are spreading rumor. Hardik is with Congress and will continue to be in Congress,” said Atul Patel, one of the spokespersons of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Samiti (GPCC) and PAAS leader.

He said, “The state government is hounding Patidar leaders by trying to implicate them in old cases and registering new ones. Hardik’s wife Kinjal and other Congress leaders gave memorandum to the Ahmedabad Collector today (Monday) against the vengeance shown by the state government.” Critics of Hardik see the development differently and allege that he’s indulging in arm-twisting tactics with his own party.

“Rajya Sabha polls are around the corner and the Congress is also gearing up reorganise Gujarat unit. He’s eying either a berth in the Upper House or a plum posting.”

RS polls in Gujarat will be held on March 26 on four seats. Out of these, three are held by BJP’s Shambhuprasad Tundiya, Lalsinh Vadodiya and Chunibhai Gohel and one by Madhusudan Mistry of Congress.

It may be noted that AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh had attended birthday celebration of Hardik Patel two months ago in Gandhinagar. When none of the GPCC leaders congratulated the Delhi CM on his victory, Hardik Patel did it openly on social media.

AAP had dispersed it entire Gujarat unit a couple of years ago. However, the victory in Delhi polls has rekindled its hope of establishing base in Gujarat. AAP is likely to reveal its intent by contesting upcoming civic polls in the state from where PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah hail.

Hardik Patel was unavailable for comments.