Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Agitated Patidar leader Hardik Patel, while addressing a Conclave said that he is dedicated to work for the defeat of BJP in Gujarat.

Patidars in Gujarat which holds almost one-fifth of the total population in the state have been demanding for a reservation for the community and demonstrating protest from 25 Aug 2015. Initially, the ruling BJP under the leadership of Vijay Rupani had promised them some perks but when the promises did not seem to be fulfilled the angry Patidars openly started criticising the government.

The Patidars votes have been one of the oldest votebank of BJP and in such situations when the assembly elections will be held just after two months, the withdrawl of the Patidar suppport may prove to be a very high price to pay for the BJP.

It is not just the Patidars that are angry with the ruling government. but also the Dalits. the Tribals, the OBC’s and the Muslims do not seem to share a very good opinion about the ruling BJP.

Hardik Patel, though not officially announced but have more than once indicated that the Patidars may extend their support to the Congress. When Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had begun the Nav Srijan Yatra for the assembly election campaign from Saurashtra, Hardik Patel had personally welcomed the Congress leader on the airport and was with him during the campaigning.

As per the latest updates, Hardik said that “I am not working for the victory of the Opposition Congress, but am committed to the legitimate rights of my community. If the Congress party wins, it will be a vote against dictatorship.”

When questioned about why he did not officially announce that he was with the Congress and that his Patidar movement was for the Congress, Patel replied that he was not fighting against any political party, he was just against the system who was stopping him from speaking for his right. “I have said earlier too that my fight is not for or against any political party, but against the system, against those who want to crush my democratic right to speak up for my rights,” he said.

Patel also stated that even now if the ruling BJP government in the state agrees to the demands of the Patidars, they will immediately withdraw the protest, but not in any other case. “If the BJP agrees to give what we are demanding I will wrap up the agitation but not otherwise,” he said, adding that their agitation will continue even if the Congress comes to power,” Patel said.

When questioned what will he do if the BJP came back to power, a smiling Patel said: “Wait till December (when the Gujarat elections are due).”

He added that he and his supporters are not slaves of either BJP or Congress. Patel informed that the Congress has offered 20 per cent reservation to Patel community, if the party comes to power, whereas BJP had only granted 10% reservation and even that was quashed by the Gujarat High Court last year. He added that this time before believing or making any commitment, the Patidars will ask the Congress to explain how they can provide 20 per cent reservation in accordance with the Constitution.

Taking a jibe at the Modi decision of demonetization and GST, Patel questioned that if demonetisation and GST  can be enforced at the stroke of midnight, why can’t the legislature sit till midnight and sort out the reservation issue?