The BJP has fielded Patidar quota protest leader Hardik Patel as its candidate from the Viramgam constituency for the 2022 Gujarat Assembly Election. Hardik is the youngest candidate so far in this election and will be contesting his maiden election. Born on July 20, 1993, Patel rose to prominence after the Patidar reservation agitation. He joined the Congress party in 2020 but recently joined the BJP. Patel was a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies before joining the BJP. Hardik has been pitted against the Congress party's sitting MLA Lakhabhai Bhikhabhai Bharwad and AAP candidate Amarsinh Anandji Thakor.