Within hours after yet another CCTV footage of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Patidar leader Hardik Patel came out in the open, Hardik threatened he would file a case against the hotel and police inspector.
Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki had extended invitation to Hardik, OBC leader Alpesh Thakore and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani ahead of Gujarat assembly elections. While Alpesh joined the Congress during Rahul's visit to the state on October 23, Hardik was slated to meet him.
On his return from Mahisagar in Central Gujarat after addressing a rally, Hardik had checked into Hotel Taj Ummed, near the Ahmedabad International Airport. Rahul, too, was staying at the same hotel. The timings in one of the footages matched the timings during which Gandhi was at the hotel. Despite the viral footage, Hardik has maintained till Wednesday that he has not met Rahul and that he would meet him during his next visit to Gujarat.
Hardik said that after consulting his lawyer, he would file a case against the hotel and the police inspector concerned for infringing on the rights of its clients.
Patidars have been demanding reservation under OBC category. Recently, Patel's two close aides Varun and Reshma Patel joined the BJP. And Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leaders Narendra Patel and Nikhil Sawani quit the BJP. Narendra has already filed a case in the court against Varun and other BJP leaders, maintaining that he was offered Rs 1 crore as bribe by the BJP. At a press conference, Narendra had also shown Rs 10 lakh that was allegedly offered by the BJP.
Hardik has not denied that he met Congress in-charge for Gujarat Ashok Gehlot. It is believed that the Patidar leader raised certain demands, including asking the Congress to explain how the Congress would give them reservation under the OBC category. The Patels constitute 17 per cent of Gujarat's 6.5 crore population.
Hardik said that in future if the Congress does not give in to the demands of the Patidars, he would fight against the Congress also.
Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel reacted and said that Hardik now stood exposed as his political ambitions had become clear. Hardik had first said that he was fighting for the society, Nitin Patel observed.
