Hardik Patel holds roadshow in Ahmedabad without clearance

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 in 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 took out a daylong rally on Monday even though the administration had not issued any clearance.

Bikers waving blue-red flag of 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

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

had said.

Hardik was later given permission for the show.

The authorities had even denied permission to Tuesday’s road shows of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

The BJP, for the first time in 3 decades, may find reason to be unsure of unflinching support from the Patidar community, which can influence result of 60 of the total 182 seats, because of Patel’s agitation for reservation benefits in government jobs and colleges.

In the first phase of voting held on December 9 for 89 seats in Saurashtra-Kutch and south Gujarat, Patidars dominated in the rural areas which saw a 5- 12% dip in voter turn out compared to 2012 assembly elections.

Polling for rest of the 93 seats of north and central Gujarat will be held on December 14.

HT PHOTO Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Hardik Patel at a roadshow in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Monday. The roadshow did not have clearance from administration.