New Delhi/ Ahmedabad: While the Congress is moving rapidly to firm up an alliance with Patidar community leader Hardik Patel with a crucial meeting between Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and the Patidar leader set for November 1, AAP's move to go it alone and contest at least 11 seats in poll bound Gujarat hands a major advantage to the BJP, as it blunts the opposition's edge despite the emerging consolidation of the Patidars-OBC- Dalit vote.
The 24-year-old Hardik Patel told the media that assurances by senior Congress leaders of support for the community's demand for Other Backward Classes (OBC) status - guaranteeing quotas in jobs and education, could see him return the favour.
Patel, who leads the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), said he was scheduled to meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi during the latter's Gujarat visit between November 1 and 3. "If he promises OBC status when the Congress is voted to power in Gujarat, PAAS will declare its support to the Congress for the assembly elections," Patel said.
During what will be his third visit to the state, Rahul Gandhi who will hold road shows, meet traders and like-minded political party leaders is likely to confer with Dalit leaders, particularly Jignesh Mevani. Though the Congress initially wanted both Mr Patel and Mr Mevani to join the party, it is now more likely that both leaders will hold back from joining the outfit and instead, extend support to Congress candidates.
