Two weeks after resigning from the Congress as working president of the Gujarat unit, Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel joined BJP to start a “new chapter” and as a “small soldier in the PM’s efforts to build a new India.”
Gujarat BJP President C.R. Paatil inducted the 28-year-old leader into the party in the presence of former Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel, once a bete noir of Mr. Patel during and after the quota agitation.
Earlier, it was reported that he would join in the presence of Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and party chief C.R. Paatil. However, CM Patel was not present at the joining function.
During his induction, besides his supporters and BJP leaders, several religious priests and saints were also present.
“I am about to start a new chapter with feelings of national interest, regional interest and social interest. I will work as a small soldier in the massive efforts in national service under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he tweeted in the morning before heading to the state BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar.
He said that he had no demands and would work as a small worker or solider of the party under the leadership of PM Modi.
While quitting Congress, Mr. Patel had slammed the party’s leadership accusing it of scuttling the efforts to work and revive the party in Gujarat.
