Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Patidar leader Hardik Patel may soon join hands to challenge BJP on Narendra Modi's home turf in Gujarat. Top party sources said that while AAP leaders have been in touch with Patel, he has agreed to support Kejriwal.

Kejriwal will be in Gujarat from October to 14 to October 17 and will address the diamond city, Surat. Apart from several AAP leaders including Kumar Vishwas, Kejriwal is also expected to share the stage with Patidar leaders Vandana Patel and Kanubhai Kalsariya. Vandana Patel was among the agitators during the Patidar protest and had spent 28 days in jail.

AAP supremo's rally comes after the party was refused the permission to hold the same by Gujarat state government. The party had then approached the High Court, contesting against the Gujarat administration.

Sources in the party said, that soon after the confirmation of Kejriwal's rally in Surat, a delegation including AAP's Gujarat in-charge Gulab Singh Yadav had met Hardik in Udaipur. While Yadav confirmed that the party is in contact with the Patidar leader, he refused to share any more details.

"Just like any other political party we are in touch with local leaders, who want to work for the people. We have approached Hardik and he has assured all support to AAP," said a top AAP leader. He added that while Hardik is unlikely to share the stage along Kejriwal on October 16 in Surat, the Patidar leader is expected to make a formal announcement of support to AAP soon.

As per details, Kejriwal is expected to reach Mehsana in Gujarat on the evening of October 14, he will then visit the temple of a local deity before reaching Ahmadabad on October 15. "In Mehsana and Ahmadabad Kejriwal visit the families of those killed during the patidar agitation. On October 16, Kejriwal will reach Surat and address a public rally, after the rally he is expected to meet various local associations," said Yadav.

Meanwhile, expecting turbulence at the rally, close to 200 AAP volunteers have been tasked with ensuring safety and security of Kejriwal during the rally. "The BJP has been trying its best to keep us from holding the rally. On previous occasions our office were vandalised and our volunteers assaulted, keeping this in mind we have made attempts from our own side also," said a party leader from Gujarat.