Mamata should be face of united Opposition, says Hardik Patel

Kolkata: Patidar community leader Hardik Patel met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday at Nabanna, the state Secretariat and after the hour-long meeting said in the 2019 Lok Sabha election there is a need of a united opposition force.

"The biggest opposition force in the country is Congress and Trinamool Congress. Mamata Banerjee, with her track record of struggle and political experience, should be the face of the united opposition," Patel told media persons.

Calling her 'Lady Gandhi,' he said he would be coming to Bengal in 2019 ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "Kurmis in Bengal have the similar same class status that Patels have in Gujarat. Mamata had written to the Centre for giving the Kurmis a Scheduled Tribe status as against the latest OBC status," he said.

Banerjee has assured all support to Patel in his fight and urged him to join politics after addressing him as her "younger brother".

Patel further added: "If anyone asks my personal opinion, then I should say that she has struggled and fought all her life for the rights of common people. So she should lead from the front to usher in "Achhe Bharat" for the people of this country."

Patel further added: "I am not a political person… I organise movements for the rights of people. Mamata Didi has also undertaken several movements and has given tough fights. I have come to take her blessings and not to discuss politics. She gave me the proposal to join her party whenever I feel like stepping into politics. She added that the door of her party will always remain open for me and I can also take it to Gujarat. In reply, I said I will take her suggestions when I decide to join politics."

He further stated that a particular section is busy spreading rumours to defame the state. "But I have found nothing like that when I visited the place. The people here are very humble."

Lauding the development of the state carried out under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Patel invited her to Gujarat to inspire women to fight against all odds.

Banerjee said after the meeting: "He is like my younger brother. He is very politically sensitive. He is fighting for the people of Gujarat. I wish him all the best for future and have requested him to join politics as only political persons can take policy decisions. It will be a right choice if he joins politics."