Gujarat leaders weakened Congress for personal financial gains: Hardik Patel

AHMEDABAD : Hardik Patel on Wednesday accused his estranged party colleagues in the state unit of actions tantamount to “betrayal” of the people of Gujarat. “Gujarat Congress leaders have weakened the party and diluted many issues of public importance — all for humongous personal financial gain. ”
At the national level, the party’s role was restricted to creating roadblocks at a time when the country was seeking solutions to various issues such as the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit in Ayodhya, nullification of Article 370, and implementation of GST, he said. PM Narendra Modi found mention in Patel’s letter to Sonia as he took potshots at Congress for allegedly doing little beyond criticising the Centre. “When it came to issues related to India, Gujarat and my Patidar community, Congress’ only stand was to oppose whatever the government of India led by PM Narendra Modi did,” he said. “Whenever I was among the youth, I was always asked why I was in a party which constantly insulted Gujaratis — be it in the business sector, in matters of religion and even in politics. Gujaratis can never forget how the Congress party insulted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,” Patel said.
Speculation had been rife about Patel gravitating towards BJP ahead of elections in Gujarat, strengthened by the Patidar leader’s increasingly critical tone on how Congress was functioning in the state. The BJP-led state government, too, has been showing an eagerness to withdraw the 20-odd cases pending against Patel since the Patidar reservation stir. Two of these cases are related to sedition. A sessions court in Ahmedabad recently granted permission to withdraw a rioting case against Patel, based on a petition filed by the state government.