Congress to rope in Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani

BHUBANESWAR: Congress in Odisha is quite likely to seek the services of Hardik Patel and Jignesh Mevani, two staunch opponents of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to canvas for the party during the campaigning for the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state. 

Both Mr Patel and Mr Mevani visited the state recently and during their visit, targeted the BJP and the ruling BJD.

On Tuesday, Mr Mevani, an independent MLA from Gujarat’s Vadgam, targeted both the BJP-led Central government and the BJD-led Odisha government alleging that they had entered into a secret pact to promote each other’s political interests.

Targeting the ruling-BJD during a public meeting at Swadhinata Sangrami Ground in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, Mr Mevani alleged that the Odisha government failed to provide justice to the Kunduli gang rape victim who committed suicide later. The state government even failed to provide justice to the people duped by chit fund companies, he said.

Mr Mevani accused that there was a secret deal between the Centre and the BJD as the latter was not questioning the Centre and remained silent on the Rafale deal.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik who was also present at the meeting took to Twitter and said, “I thank leaders from all political parties who joined the event. The Congress always has and always will fight for social justice and equality.”

Earlier in March, Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel had visited Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district to express his solidarity with the people of Kudumi (Kurmi) community who have been demanding Scheduled Tribe status. 

Sources in the Congress said the party would appeal to both Mr Patel and Mr Mevani to address a few public rallies in March and April next year.
Odisha will go for Assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha elections next year.