Cong wants Hardik in UP to blunt Anupriya appointment

KANPUR: The Congress is planning to rope in Gujarat Patel agitation leader Hardik Patel to blunt the BJP’s appointment of Anupriya Patel in order to grab Kurmi votes

Published on: Jul 19, 2016, 06:05:40 IST

By HT Correspondent

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KANPUR: The Congress is planning to rope in Gujarat Patel agitation leader Hardik Patel to blunt the BJP’s appointment of Anupriya Patel in order to grab Kurmi votes in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls.

Hardik, who got bail in Gujarat on Friday, could be introduced as a star campaigner in 35 assembly seats where Kurmis are the deciding factor. Strategist Prashant Kishor has discussed the plan with senior party leaders and former state Congress president Nirmal Khatri has reportedly endorsed the suggestion.

“PK’s team is likely to meet Hardik in Udaipur this week or the next to discuss modalities,” said a senior leader on the condition of anonymity. He added, “PK’s team members are in touch with Hardik. He is quite keen to get him on board.”

Sources said that following Anupriya’s induction as a minister in the NDA government, Congress leaders met in Lucknow to discuss the impact of her appointment on Kurmi voters. A list of seats, where Kurmi voters are the decisive factor, was discussed in this meeting and a formal strategy finalised.

Congress Kanpur Dehat president and a Patel leader, Neetam Sachan, said Hardik has lately been a point of discussion but refused to share further details.

After being released from Surat jail, where he was lodged on sedition charges, was planning to relocate to Udaipur as court’s condition binds him to stay away from Gujarat for six months.

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