Congress top brass has no time for workers and leaders: Hardik Patel

Patel, who recently joined BJP, talks about the reasons for leaving the Grand Old Party and his future at the saffron outfit

Hardik Patel, who recently jumped ship to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), spoke to Business Standard's Anjana Kumari Mahato on why he left the Congress party, and his future at the saffron outfit. Edited excerpts:

What were the reasons for your exit from the Congress?

The world knows why I left the Congress party. People like me who come from an ordinary background cannot work within the party. Moreover, we wanted the Congress to take a clear stand on religious issues, which it did not. That's the reason I had to choose a different path.

Yes, but were there any particular reason for your exit?

Multiple reasons led to my resignation. First of all, I wrote letters asking leaders to refrain from making statements hurting people's religious sentiments. But their continuous jibes were impacting on the people of Gujarat.

Secondly, I asked them not to abuse the state's business community. Everybody in Gujarat wants to lead a good life, and nothing is wrong with that.

Thirdly, when my father passed away last year, none of the leaders from the Gujarat Congress came to offer condolences. If they cannot stand by their state working president, I doubt they will for the 65 million Gujaratis.

Other than that, I wrote about Ram Mandir and Article 370 in my resignation letter a few days after a senior member of the Gujarat Congress made controversial remarks about the temple. I have time and again made it clear that I can't be in the Congress if the party wants to hurt religious sentiments.

So, you were more disappointed with the Gujarat Congress than the central leadership?

I was disappointed with the state leadership and had informed Rahul Gandhi about this, but there was no positive outcome. We helped the Congress party during the 2015 panchayat elections and 2017 assembly polls, but Congress never stood by the people of Gujarat.

What was Rahul Gandhi's reaction when you conveyed the problems within the party?

I asked Rahul Gandhi to meet the disgruntled leaders leaving the party. After that, he met the MLAs two months ago, for the first time since 2017. Even after being out of power, the leadership has no time to meet the workers and senior members. I had no hope from the Congress leaders. Politics is a 24-hour job.

You had said, "The central leadership must ensure I remain in Congress". What did you mean by that?

Many in Congress will not let hardworking people succeed. I don't think Congress has any plans for Gujarat and its people. The party has been out of power in the state for 27 years,  and Gujaratis are electing BJP, which means the saffron party has been able to present a new vision to the state. People aren't willing to accept Congress.

According to you, what are the reasons for the Congress' debacle?

The same bunch of leaders in Gujarat are dominating the party. BJP has always believed that a strong Opposition is needed in a democracy, but I feel Congress doesn't even want to be in the Opposition.

They are not concerned about the people of the country. They should support the government for the sake of the country and its people.

How do you see your future in BJP and what are your expectations?

I have never chased power or position and have focused on doing quality work. I believe in proving myself again and again. I will work on strengthening the party at the ground level; that is my top priority right now.

The same party (BJP) slapped sedition cases against you. How do you respond to that?

The court will decide on the sedition case against me. Right now, I am not an accused; it is up to the court to decide. In total, there were 32 cases filed against me in which I have been acquitted in 10, i will fight and the remaining 22 cases in the court of law. I will get justice because the protests were for the people of Gujarat.

I fought for the people, and the BJP government had fulfilled our demand for the Patidar reservation. Also, our protests led to numerous government schemes that benefited the people.

Why BJP? Why didn't you consider joining the Aam Aadmi party?

My reason for joining BJP was related to Gujarat's existence.

Do you see AAP as a challenger in Gujarat?

In a democracy, everyone has the right to contest elections, though I think the people of Gujarat will vote for BJP. With over 150 seats BJP will form the government in Gujarat again.

Do you see Congress as a challenger?

The people of Gujarat aren't even willing to see Congress in the Opposition. They are failing to do the job of Opposition.

So, do you think AAP will be the main opposition party in Gujarat?

I think the people of Gujarat will continue to support the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.