Gujarat assembly elections: BJP offered Rs 1 crore to switch sides, claims Hardik Patel's aide Narendra Patel

Narendra Patel, a close aide of Hardik Patel, has alleged that he was offered Rs 1 crore to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a press conference on Sunday late night in Ahmedabad.

The claims were made by Narendra Patel only a few hours after prominent BJP leaders of Gujarat announced his joining the saffron party on Sunday evening.

Narendra Patel in the press conference called Sunday late claimed that he was ‘made to say’ that he was joining the party after being offered Rs 1 crore.

He claimed that he was given an advance of Rs 10 lakhs.

“They have promised me to give Rs 90 lakhs on Monday,” said Narendra Patel.

Patel also claimed that the BJP made the offer via Varun Patel, another Patidar leader.

“Varun Patel offered the Rs 1 crore deal on behalf of BJP. He gave me Rs 10 lakh in advance. He told me that they will give me Rs 90 lakh rupees tomorrow,” added Narendra Patel.

He further said, “If they give me the entire Reserve Bank of India they will not be able to buy me.”

He also displayed bundles of Rs 500 notes that he claimed were given to him as part of the deal.

Narendra Patel during the press conference also claimed that he was introduced to several senior BJP leaders including Jitubhai Vaghamani — BJP Gujarat president — and Chudasmasaheb.

“I kept the money to expose Varun Patel and BJP,” added Narendra Patel.

However, Varun Patel, a close aide of Hardik Patel in the Patidar movement had joined BJP on Saturday, denied the allegations talking to News Nation.  

Varun Patel said, “The allegations are baseless. If I am wrong he should file a complaint.”

Several attempts were made to contact senior BJP leaders of Gujarat.

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