After Hardik’s exit, Congress goes all out to woo Naresh Patel

According to party functionaries, Khodaldham chief Naresh Patel’s entry into the Congress may now be a matter of days, as Patel has made up his mind. An influential industrialist from Saurashtra, he heads the Khodaldham trust which runs the Khodal Mata temple in Kagwad. Khodal Mata is the reigning deity of the Leuva sub-caste of the Patidar community, which dominates the Saurashtra and Kutch regions.

Patel is expected to get a prominent position, along with the power to decide on candidates for about 30 seats in Saurashtra, said people aware of the matter. The Patidar community is the deciding factor in at least 50 assembly seats in the state and plays an important role in many other seats, according to analysts.

Patel has for long been indicating his desire to join public life and, given his social standing, makes for a great catch for the political parties in the state. However, he is believed to have a preference for the Congress. He first wanted election strategist Prashant Kishor’s mediation for his induction into the party, according to those in the know.