The mass appeal of Hardik Patel in Gujarat 'does not augur well for the BJP', the Shiv Sena said on Friday, calling him 'a hero' who had punctured claims that Gujarat was a peaceful state.

"Until now, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi was considered the only political 'neta' who could pull crowds," a hard-hitting editorial in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.