Gujarat AAP chief invites Congress leader Hardik Patel to join party ahead of assembly polls

Gujarat AAP President Gopal Italia on Friday invited Congress leader Hardik Patel to join the party ahead of the assembly polls after infighting in Congress.

Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Gopal Italia on Friday invited Congress Working President Hardik Patel and Khodaldham Trust president Naresh Patel to join AAP, which he said is a “like-minded party.”

Speculations have been rife that Gujarat Congress leader Hardik Patel may quit over infighting in the party. Patel had mentioned his dissatisfaction with the lax attitude of Congress regarding adding Naresh Patel to the party and also said that he was not even considered or asked while taking important decisions.

Gujarat AAP President Gopal Italia said, “If both Naresh Patel and Hardik Patel want to come to AAP, they are welcome to join it.”

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Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress President Jagdish Thakor on Thursday said that party leaders are set to call on Hardik Patel over his statement on Patidars and Khodaldham Trust president Naresh Patel.

Patel had also earlier tweeted that he wanted the best for the party. "Truth should be spoken because I want what is the best for the party. The people of the state lay their hopes with us and if we cannot live up to that expectation, then what is the meaning of this leadership? Till date, I have done the work of giving the best to the party and will continue to do so. I am not vying for a position but I am hungry for work," he said.