Patidar leader Hardik Patel set to join Congress in presence of Rahul-Priyanka on March 12

In what is seen as major boost to the Congress in Gujarat ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel is set to join the Congress on March 12.

A close confident of Patel, who was en route to attend the meeting of Samiti, confirmed to NH that Patel will join the Congress. However, the formal announcement in this regard will be made either by Thursday evening or Friday, he emphasised.

When asked whether the Samiti had approved Patel’s decision or if it was his personal decision to join the Congress, the source told NH that at least 85% of the members of the Samiti want Patel to join mainstream politics in order to defeat BJP in the upcoming polls.

The Samiti wants anti-BJP votes to be consolidated, said the source. He told NH that the decision whether Patel would contest from Jamnagar or from some other Lok Sabha seat would be taken by the Congress leadership.

Some media reports have stated that Patel would contest from the Jamnagar Lok Sabha seat which is currently represented by Poonamben Maadam of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Along with Patel, five other members of the PAAS core group of the nine, will also join the Congress, claimed the source.

Analysts believe Patel’s joining will provide a shot in the arms that Congress needs in Modi’s home turf.

His joining will coincide with the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Ahmedabad, following which top party leaders will address a public rally.

The CWC which was earlier scheduled for February 28, will be the first CWC meet which will be attended by newly-inducted general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. After the meet, Priyanka will also address the rally.