Uddhav Thackeray Asks Hardik Patel to Behave Like Role Model 'Balsaheb'

Thane: Patel agitation leader Hardik Patel should behave like Shiv Sena icon Bal Thackeray if he really considers the latter to be his role model, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said.

"I will be happy if anyone moves ahead by taking 'prerna' (inspiration) and 'sphoorti' (enthusiasm) from Bal Thackeray. If Hardik considers Balasaheb as his role model, then he should behave like his role model," Mr Thackeray said at a meeting yesterday.

Mr Patel, who is spearheading a stir in Gujarat seeking reservation for the Patel community, had reportedly said that the late Sena Supremo was his role model even as he had also hailed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray.

Meanwhile, in an editorial in its paper Saamna, Shiv Sena had praised Mr Patel and called him a 'king of crowd'.

"Hardik Patel is a hero of Gujarat... His rallies attract four-five lakh people... With his super-mammoth rally in Ahmedabad last Tuesday, he has thrown the gauntlet at the state government," the Sena said.

Until now, Mr Modi used the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, now this had been usurped by the young Patel leader, it had said sarcastically.