NEW DELHI: National leader Rahul Gandhi has shared the stage with Congress leader Hardik Patel. Both shared the stage at a meeting held as part of Congress' rally in Gujarat. Although Rahul did not mention Hardik's name during the speech, the two leaders spoke for a while. Sources close to the two leaders told media that Rahul had promised Hardik that his issues would be addressed.

Hardik Patel was one of the two young leaders whom Rahul Gandhi considered as the leading figures of the Congress in the upcoming Gujarat elections. But Hardik does not have good relations with state leaders. Hardik had recently publicly stated that he had no problem with Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi and that he had differences of opinion with state leaders who were not preparing for the upcoming elections.

Following this, there were reports that Rahul Gandhi spoke directly to Hardik. But even after this, Hardik praised the BJP and removed the Congress symbol from his Twitter profile, spreading rumors that the young leader was switching to the BJP. AAP, which is trying to take root in Gujarat, has also reportedly approached Hardik. Meanwhile, Rahul has shared the stage with Hardik.

Putting all speculations to rest, Gujarat Congress Working President Hardik Patel attends ‘Adivasi Satyagraha Rally’ in Dahod, Gujarat addressed by Rahul Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/NCMCR0OXhZ

— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) May 10, 2022

Hardik's entry into the Gujarat Congress was a direct decision of Rahul. Along with Hardik, Jignesh Mevani is another leader who the Gujarat Congress is looking forward to. But Mevani has not yet confirmed on joining the Congress. However, a majority of state leaders believe that Jignesh Mevani will join the Congress before the next Gujarat Assembly elections.