Patidar leader Hardik on Thursday Patel  invited chief minister Mamata Banerjee to Gujarat for organising campaign and uniting the women populace of the state while the latter invited him to join Trinamul Congress.

“He is just like my younger brother. He is very good, sensitive person and is fighting for the people of Gujarat. I wished him all the best for his future and requested him to join our party. It would be good if he joined good politics,” said Miss Banerjee while leaving Nabanna, late this evening.

Earlier, Mr Patel met Miss Banerjee at her chamber and addressing her as Lady Gandhi, he said he had come “to seek her blessings and guidance”. “I have come to the land of Netaji and Vivekananda and met Lady Gandhi. I did not see Gandhiji but while interacting with Miss Banerjee I felt as if she was Lady Gandhi. She is the most powerful women politician India has had after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,” he said after the hour-long meeting.

Convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Patel said that he has found that the picture portrayed by the Opposition about Bengal was not correct. Miss Banerjee gave him a detailed account of the state’s performance in sectors of education, agriculture, employment and business. She also spoke about her struggle since college days, he added.

Mr Patel said that the chief minister guided him on what should be done in politics.“Congress and Trinamul Congress is together a big Opposition party,” he said while responding to reporters on joining the proposed third front ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

He said that he had invited Miss Banerjee to Gujarat to inspire the women folk and she has agreed to visit the state. Mr Patel has also assured Miss Banerjee to visit Bengal prior to the Lok Sabha polls. A day after the results of Gujarat Assembly election was announced, Miss Banerjee called up Mr Patel and congratulated him for his excellent work in election that witnessed a comparatively poorer performance by BJP. The 24-year old Patidar leader had backed the Congress candidates and extensively campaigned against the BJP in Gujarat.