The 22-year-old firebrand leader, who is demanding inclusion of the Patel community under the OBC quota, had walked out of jail on Friday after being granted bail by the Gujarat high court.
To a question that day on his chances of joining active politics, he had not ruled out the possibility. “People of my community will decide if I have to join politics or not. I will take the decision when my community tells me.
Otherwise, I don’t feel that we have to be in politics to do something for our nation and people,” he said. Following this, the Congress, NCP and Aam Admi party (AAP) made a beeline for Hardik’s inclusion in their parties — some openly inviting him while others did so by sending feelers. The move by the parties is seen as an attempt towards electoral benefit, keeping in mind state polls due next year.
The Patidar community, to which Hardik belongs, is numerically strong in the state with 18 per cent population. It has so far been a staunch supporter of the ruling BJP.
Despite hinting that he may take a the political plunge if his community says so, Hardik has kept his cards close to his chest on whether he will join politics in the near future, saying he is not a political leader but a social leader. “I will not join any political party. All these are speculations. You will come to know what I will do when the time comes,” Hardik had earlier told reporters.