Hardik Patel: I have always been inspired by Balasaheb's thoughts

Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patidar community’s agitation in Gujarat, arrived at Matoshree around noon on Tuesday to meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. He was accompanied by Industries Minister Subhash Desai

Hardik Patel with Shiv Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray. Pic/PTI

Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patidar community’s agitation in Gujarat, arrived at Matoshree around noon on Tuesday to meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. He was accompanied by Industries Minister Subhash Desai.

Ahead of the civic polls later this month, the meeting is particularly significant as it marks for the first time in Maharashtra the coming together of anti-Modi forces from across state boundaries.

"Our friendship with Hardik Patel will be lasting. Until the other person breaks relations with us, we do not leave their side. If needed, we will fight Gujarat Assembly polls as well and Hardik will be our face," Thackeray said while addressing a joint press conference with Patel. Giving indications that the Sena is ready to pull out of the Maharashtra government, in which it is a partner of the BJP, Thackeray said the government is on a "notice period" as on now.

Aaditya Thackeray with father Uddhav and Hardik Patel

"Like the Code of Conduct is for a certain period, the government too is on a notice period and when the period ends will be known by all soon," Thackeray said. "From the last several months, Hardik wanted to pay his respects to the memory of Sena founder Balasaheb (Thackeray) and thus he came to Matoshree. Sena and Hardik are together in their fight for justice," he added.

Patel, who had taken on the BJP government in Gujarat by spearheading a stir demanding quota for the Patidar community, said Maharashtra is a land of warriors and that the current struggle is for a social change and to deliver justice to people. "I have always been inspired by Balasaheb's thoughts. His thoughts are inspiration for the youth. Be it Gujarati or Marathi all are my friends. Meeting anyone cannot be a political issue. One should be in contact with 'good' people," Patel said.

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