Ketan Patel was suspended from PAAS after he turned approver against Hardik in a sedition case, in which he is a co-accused
In continuing woes for the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Ketan Patel, a former associate of quota agitation leader Hardik Patel, and PAAS leader Amrish Patel, joined the BJP within hours of each other on Saturday.
Union minister and BJP leader Mansukh Mandavia welcomed Amrish, who was associated with PAAS since its beginning, and his supporters, to the party fold.
Talking with reporters later, Amrish, came down heavily on Hardik, accusing him of misleading the Patidar community.
"Hardik is leading Patidars down the wrong path, which is hurting the whole community. The Congress cannot give the community what the BJP already has, and it is remembering Patidars only because of the elections," Amrish said, referring to the Patidar demand for reservation.
For PAAS, which is already reeling under the sex tapes scandal, the exits could not have come at a worse time. The outfit is in talks with the Congress over extending support to it in the upcoming elections. It is also believed to be pressing for party tickets for some of its office-bearers and leaders.
However, talks have remained inconclusive so far.
Ketan was suspended from PAAS after he turned approver against Hardik in a sedition case, in which he is a co-accused.
He, too, had spent several months in prison. "I am young and was upset. Now, I have returned home," Ketan said after being welcomed to the party by Mandavia.
Criticising Hardik and other PAAS office-bearers, Ketan said four-five people are holding the entire Patidar community hostage over the reservation issue and alleged that it has been reduced to a political stir. He also lambasted Hardik on the sex CDs, saying the tapes were an insult to the community.
Earlier this week, Chirag Patel, former PAAS leader and a co-accused in the sedition case, had joined the BJP.
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