Hardik Patel holds roadshow in Ahmedabad without clearance

IN THE FIRST PHASE OF VOTING HELD ON DECEMBER 9, PATIDARS DOMINATED IN THE RURAL AREAS WHICH SAW A 5 12% DIP IN VOTER TURN OUT

AHMEDABAD: “Aa na ma dam che. Manjuri vagar pan nikli pade (He has mettle. He is out even without permission),” says an onlooker pointing at Patidar leader Hardik Patel’s cavalcade, as it enters Ghatlodia in Ahmedabad.

Amid the half-kilometre-long convoy, the 24-year-old quota crusader and convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) is perched on top of a luxury SUV. “Jay Bhavani”, he greets a sea of young supporters on bikes, who reply instantly, “BJP javani(bjp will be out)”.

As campaigning for the second and last phase of voting ends on Tuesday, Hardik held a day-long road show through Ahmedabad on Monday even though the administration had not issued a clearance for the show.

Bikers waving the blue-red flag of the PAAS, led the show. Starting from Ghuma — the western edge of the city — the rally covered 12 of the 21 constituencies in Ahmedabad city, including Naranpura and Ghatlodia, represented by former CM Anandiben Patel and BJP chief Amit Shah respectively.

“We had not given permission to Hardik Patel to hold the roadshow in Ahmedabad, but from the kind of rally that has been taken out by his supporters in the city area we do see that it is violation of the condition and we will take legal action,” Ahmedabad police commissioner AK Singh had said. Hardik was later issued permission for the show.

Authorities had also denied permission to Tuesday’s road shows of PM Modi and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

“In the next phase, when Ahmedabad goes to the polls, we have a chance to reply to the atrocities unleashed on you in constituencies like Nikol, Ghatlodia, Naranpura. There are such 12 constituencies where Patidars were killed and beaten,” said Hardik addressing the gathering.

He was referring to the youth killed during protests for quota in August 2015. “The PM has been addressing many rallies. But there is no mention of development. Instead, he refers to Pakistan...’’, he said, adding, “I am neither related to the Congress or the BJP. But those who have killed our brothers are my enemies.”