In a bid to mobilise large voter support by siding with the youth power, the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has invited three young faces of crucial vote bases - Patidars, OBCs and dalits to contest elections on the Congress ticket.

At a press meet convened on Saturday, GPCC chief Bharatsinh Solanki officially invited three "important factors" to join Congress ahead of the State elections due in December this year.

"The Congress Vijay Yatra (journey) has begun. In our journey, we invite the like-minded political outfits and leaders to join Congress and help us to dethrone the BJP and bring an end to its 22 years of misrule. Three young faces Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani had initiated movements to raise the voice of people against the BJP rule. We have decided to take these leaders along and recreate a new Gujarat," said Solanki hinting that the party is willing to offer these leaders election tickets if they wish to contest.

"If Hardik wants to contest polls, we are ready to give him ticket. The Congress also recognises the efforts of Jignesh Mevani, who is leading an agitation against the atrocities on Dalits, while Alpesh Thakore is leading a fight on the issues of corruption and effective prohibition," said Solanki.

Solanki also extended his 'invite' to Chhotu Vasava, a tribal deader and JD (U) MLA, who is close to Sharad Yadav. Vasava had supported Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections held in August. It is also learnt that Vasava has been made acting chairman of the Sharad Yadav-section of the JD(U).

Interestingly, the Congress also extended its invitation to Aam Admi Party (AAP). "We know several of the AAP supporters have leaning towards Congress ideology. We invite them to join with us and support our mission of 125 seats in the Gujarat elections," Solanki said.

Solanki also kept the doors open for Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which ditched the Congress in Rajya Sabha polls.

However, Patidar reservation leader and Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader, Hardik Patel, was quick to react to Solanki's offer.

'Do not want to contest polls'

"I do not want to contest polls. And contesting elections is not our purpose. We demand right and justice. We are fighting against the ego and we shall win," Patel tweeted.

On the issue of reservation, Solanki assured that his party ".. stands by its proposal of keeping 49 per cent reservation for OBC, SC/ST intact providing additional 20 per cent reservation to the other communities by passing a resolution in the State Assembly once in power."

"We will also send a resolution to BJP-controlled Parliament and impress upon them to pass our resolution. If they don't do it, we will resort to agitation," he said.

Solanki also stated that his party would approach the Supreme Court to ensure that the proposal of 20 per cent additional reservation is approved.

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