New Delhi: When asked about speculation of being given a cabinet berth in the new Gujarat government, BJP MLA Hardik Patel on Saturday said that he will accept whatever role the party gives him.
“Not just for me, this is a big day for all Gujaratis. Once again BJP Govt has formed the Govt and this government is to see how Gujarat becomes strong and goes ahead in the next 5-10 years,” news agency ANI quoted the Congress turned BJP leader as saying.
“I don’t know, I’ve played the role of a mere soldier from the beginning. I’ll accept whatever role the party assigns me,” he said on speculation of being offered a cabinet berth.
Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Thursday defeated Amarsinh Thakor of the Aam Aadmi Party in urban Viramgram assembly by 51707 votes.
A native of Chandranagar village in Viramgam taluka, Hardik Patel was born and brought up in Viramgam town. He shot into prominence following the 2015 Patidar agitation for reservation in jobs, which he led. That agitation was widely credited for an impressive performance by the Congress party in 2017.
Patel later joined the Congress party, but differences with the leadership of the party made him switch to the BJP ahead of the polls.
Viramgam segment, which comprises Viramgam, Mandal and Detroj talukas of Ahmedabad, has been with the Congress party since 2012. The last time BJP held Viramgam constituency was in the 2007 polls.
While Bharwad relied on his past performance and work done for the people, Hardik, who joined BJP in June after spending some time in Congress, made a host of promises, including getting the status of a district for Viramgam.
Other key promises included building a modern sports complex, schools, 50-bed hospitals each in Mandal taluka, Detroj taluka, and near Nal Sarovar, 1,000 government houses in Viramgam town, an industrial estate, gardens, etc.