Hardik Patel, convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) who has emerged as the face of the Patels' demand for OBC status, has always claimed that he is not linked to any political party. However, sources say that it is apparent from Hardik's past political activities that he has been consistently op posed to Narendra Modi. In one of his tweets during the Lok Sabha polls of 2014 when he actively supported the AAP , Hardik had called Modi “the worst betrayer of the people.“

Even his close friend, Chirag Patel, who is a key member of PAAS, was anti-Modi in his political stand earlier. He contested the 2012 assembly elections from Ghatlodiyaconstituency against Anandiben Patel as a candidate of former CM Keshubhai Patel's Gujarat Parivartan Party . Sources said Chirag had later joined AAP but Hardik claims that Chirag is currently in the BJP . During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Hardik had worked for AAP . In a tweet on March 26, 2014, he called Modi a `dhokebaj (betrayer)'. “Dhokebaj kone he vo sab ham Gujarat vale Jante he...Modi sabse bada dhokebaj hai.“

Hardik declined to say anything on his AAP connections.