Hardik Patel’s resignation from Congress didn’t surprise those in 24, Akbar Road

Hardik Patel resigned from the Congress, claiming that top leaders of the party were 'distracted' and Gujarat Congress leaders were more interested in arranging chicken sandwiches for them. But the Congress top brass knew this was coming.

When Hardik Patel posted his resignation letter on Twitter, a meeting between the party’s general secretaries and in-charge was underway at 24, Akbar Road - the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi.

Priyanka Gandhi and AICC Gujarat in-charge Raghu Sharam were present at the meeting. Most of the leaders present at this meeting, in a unanimous tone, said: We knew it. This was coming. And aap dekhna he will most likely join the BJP soon.

While Hardik Patel gave his side of the story in his resignation letter, Congress had its own version. There are three main reasons that AICC top brass cite that led to this situation.

Speculation of Hardik Patel joining the BJP was rife in Gujarat and when the then working president of Gujarat Congress didn’t attend Nav Sankalp Chintan Shivir in Udaipur, the Congress top brass knew what was brewing. Chintan Shivir concluded on May 15 and within 72 hours, Patel resigned.

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