Gujarat confidential: Tongue-in-cheek

While attending a function on Tuesday to inaugurate the office of BJP MLA Hardik Patel in his constituency of Viramgam, Gujarat BJP president C R Paatil made a tongue-in-cheek remark regarding the former Patidar quota agitation leader. During the function, Hardik had welcomed Paatil with an idol of Lord Hanuman. When he delivered a small speech on the occasion, referring to the gift, Paatil said: “He (Hardik) has given me (idol of) Hanumanji, but one thing is certain that now he will not jump around like Hanumanji.” As Paatil made the comment, everyone on the dais and in the audience burst into laughter. Patel had first joined Congress and then the BJP.