Daijiworld Media Network

Kolkata, Feb 10: Gujarat Patidar leader Hardik Patel who met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her office on Friday has ranked her next to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Patel has also promised to campaign for Mamata in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Showering praises on the Trinamool Congress chief who he called an “epitome of struggle for the cause of the people” he appreciated her simplicity and selfless nature and hoped that parties such as the Congress and Trinamool Congress join hands.

"If you ask my personal opinion, I will say Ms Banerjee is an intelligent woman who has a history of being a revolutionary leader and she should come forward to be the leader (of opposition parties)," he said after the 90-minute meeting.

“It was a good meeting. He is like my younger brother. Along with being political he also sensitive. He is fighting for the people of Gujarat which is very good,” Banerjee was quoted saying.

Patel has also received an open invitation from Mamata to join the Trinamool Congress any time he is looking to join one.

"I requested him to join politics because political people only make policy decisions. So it will be the right choice for him to join politics," said Mamata.

When questioned about Hardik's efforts to unite the opposition under her leadership, she said they were acting on it.

This is his second offer for the 24-year-old Patidar leader. He already has a similar invite from the Gujarat Congress along with the promise of a party ticket when he turns 25, the minimum age to contest elections.