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Not openly extending support to Congress in Gujarat elections: Hardik Patel

Not openly extending support to Congress in Gujarat elections: Hardik Patel

Hardik Patel decided to go it alone in Gujarat polls

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Congress and PAAS were involved in protracted negotiations over seat-sharing last Sunday but failed to reach a consensus.

Ahead of the Gujarat elections, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel declared his party wasn't "openly extending support" to the Congress but will support the party "indirectly".

"We are not openly extending support to Congress, but we will fight the BJP. So directly or indirectly, there will be supportfor theCongress,"Hardik said at a press conference in Ahmedabad.

Congress and PAAS were involved in protracted negotiations over seat-sharing last Sunday but failed to reach a consensus.

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"Congress has agreed to give Patidars reservations under section 31 and provisions of section 46," Hardik said, adding,"We have never appealed to anyone to vote for Congress, but since they are talking about our rights, we leave it on people to decide."

"We never asked for any ticket. Also, there is no conflict within PAAS," Hardik said.

The PAAS leader accused the BJP of "horse trading" in north Gujarat, saying: "BJP is using tactics as it fears defeat."

"I am not joining any party, Hardik asserted. The PAASleader said the Congress had "accepted all issues"and had agreed to give Patidars reservations if they won the Gujarat polls.