Big blow to Congress, Hardik Patel won't contest election

The Gujarat High Court on Friday rejected Congress leader Hardik Patel's plea seeking stay of his conviction in the Mehsana rioting case of 2015.

As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Hardik Patel will not be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections due to his conviction.

Hardik Patel, who led the Patidar quota agitation, had announced earlier this month that he will contest the Lok Sabha election. He joined the Congress on March 12.