Gujarat trio sought after in Maharashtra

Mumbai: It’s not Jignesh Mewani, but two other prominent young Gujarat politicians — Patidar leader Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakore — are also in demand in Maharashtra, sources have said.

Maratha Yuva Kranti Morcha’s volunteers recently met Mr Patel in Gujarat and invited him for rallies in the state. Mr Thakore was also in Maharashtra in last week of December and is likely to visit the state to attend the opposition parties’ Constitution Bachao rally, according to sources. Almost two years ahead of the Assembly elections, the trio is set to stir the state politics.

Mr Mewani, a legislator, rose to prominence in the state after complaints were against him for instigating violence in Bhima-Koregaon. But, even before that he was in demand and was invited by various organisations for anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) events.

Two other young leaders who took on the BJP in Gujarat are also in demand. Mr Patel is becoming popular among Maratha youths, as he is the leader of Patidar community in Gujarat. Both the communities have been demanding reservations. “There are Maratha youths who sincerely feel that they need leadership like Hardik, with no political baggage, clear single point agenda for caste as well as courage to take on powerful leaders,” said a senior functionary in Maratha Kranti Morcha. Mr Patel also recently interacted Maratha youths on the Facebook, discussing a range of issues. He has assured them that he will to come to Maharashtra and support their demand for reservation.

Mr Thakore, an OBC leader from Gujarat, won the bitterly fought Assembly election on a Congress ticket. Maharashtra’s OBC community is also looking for the leadership, as it’s tallest leader Gopinath Munde suddenly passed away and another strong leader Chhagan Bhujbal is jailed for almost two years over corruption charges. “Alpesh would get good support and also getting him to Maharashtra will prove helpful for Congress. But, that needs to be finalised by the Congress high command as generally, they take decisions about sending a leader to another state for political purpose,” said a former Congress party functionary. Sources said the Congress might ask him to reach out to people in few parts of the state.