Hardik Patel to Gujarat Deputy CM: Displeased with BJP? Join Congress

With Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel reportedly expressing displeasure over the departments allotted to him, firebrand Patidar leader-Hardik Patel urged him on Saturday

File pic of Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani (R)âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088offering sweets to Deputy CM Nitin Patel, even as Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley looks on

With Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel reportedly expressing displeasure over the departments allotted to him, firebrand Patidar leader-Hardik Patel urged him on Saturday to quit the BJP along with 10 party MLAs and join the Congress for a "deserving" position.

Hardik Patel

Nitin Patel, who has been sulking since the announcement of portfolios in the new BJP govern­m­e­nt, said on Saturday that the issue was abo­ut his "self-respect". Hardik said, "As a veteran politician, Nitinbhai worked hard for 27 years to ensure that the BJP stays in power. Such politicians are being sidelined. I would request Nitinbhai to join us and together we will fight against the arrogant people [of BJP]. If Nitinbhai says he's ready to resign from BJPâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088and that 10 more MLAs are ready to tender their resignation, we are ready to fully support him."

Meanwhile, another Patidar leader, Lalji Patel, announced a general strike on January 1 in Nitin Patel's support.

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