In a fresh attack on Hardik Patel on the last day of campaigning for Gujarat polls, his disgruntled aide Dinesh Bambhania claimed the Patidar quota stir leader had met Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi as well as his brother-in-law Robert Vadhra.
Bambhania also accused Patel of “misleading” core members of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, about his “secret meeting” with Gandhi at a fi vestar hotel here in October.
“Hardik met Rahul at least on three occasions, and once with Vadra in Delhi. His meeting with Rahul in Ahmedabad lasted for 48 minutes. Hardik confessed before PAAS core committee that he made a mistake meeting Rahul, Vadra.” To this, Hardik Patel said, “I had gone to the hotel where Rahul Gandhi was staying, but to meet Ashok Gehlot.” Bambhania also alleged that NCP had paid PAAS Rs 81 lakh to hold a public rally in Botad in March.
“The rally could not take place so the core committee decided to return money to NCP or distribute it among families of slain Patidars.” Refuting this, Surat PAAS convenor Alpesh Kathiriya said, “A socially active organisation, and not NCP, had given money to PAAS to conduct a public event in Botad. Bambhania should present concrete evidence before levelling allegations.”
Earlier, Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra on Monday congratulated him on becoming the party chief and said it is the “dawn of a new era” and a “proud moment for all in the family”.
“My best wishes to @OfficeOfRG on becoming @INCIndia President,” Vadra tweeted.
He also uploaded a Facebook post on Twitter in which he said: “Heartiest congratulations to Rahul Gandhi on becoming the Congress President. It’s a dawn of a new era!!”
“Rahul, it’s a proud moment for all of us in the family… we are all sure that you will take the legacy of Nehruji, Indiraji, and your father (Rajiv Gandhi) ahead in the right direction,” he added.
Vadra said: “Your remarkable presence and an easy connect with the people touches every heart that beats for the nation. All the best for the new beginning.”
