Congress invites Hardik Patel to contest Gujarat elections

Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Bharat Solanki invited Hardik Patel Saturday to contest the Gujarat elections.

"If Hardik Patel wants to contest election, then Congress invites him to do so," ANI reported Solanki as saying.

Patel turned down the offer.

"Constitutionally speaking, I can't contest election and I don't need to, in the first place," he said.

Patel is 24. You have to be at least 25 to contest an election to Parliament or the state assemblies in India.

"Although I believe we must unite against BJP, this isn't a BJP-Congress election but of 6 crore people of Gujarat," Patel added.

Patel had shot into the spotlight after leading the Patidar agitation in Gujarat.

The Patidars were demanding reservation in government jobs.