Will support Congress in Gujarat, says Hardik
PREPOLL SYNERGY Patidar leader to meet Rahul, says has quota assurance
: Patidar leader Hardik Patel said on Thursday that he would support the Congress in the Gujarat assembly elections, providing a shot in the arm for the opposition party aiming to wrest power from the Bharatiya Janata Party which has ruled the state for 22 years.
The 24-year-old Patel told Hindustan Times he was assured by senior Congress leaders of support for the community’s demand for Other Backward Classes (OBC) status – guaranteeing quotas in jobs and education.
In an exclusive interview, Patel, who leads the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), said he was scheduled to meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi during the latter’s Gujarat visit between November 1 and 3.
“I am sure (that) in that meeting he will promise OBC status if the Congress is voted to power in Gujarat. After that, the PAAS will declare its support to the Congress for the upcoming assembly elections,” Patel said.
OBCs comprise 146 castes and make up around 40% of the state’s population.
They are given 27% quota in jobs and education. The scheduled castes have 7% and the scheduled tribes 15% , making a total of 49%, just under the 50% reservation cap set by the Supreme Court.
When asked how he was certain the Congress would back the Patidar demand for OBC status, Patel named the party’s Gujarat in-charge Ashok Gehlot among senior leaders who had promised him the same.
Gehlot would only tell Hindustan Times that the Congress would announce its policies and programmes in the manifesto but state unit chief Bharatsinh
Solanki asserted that the party last year announced its commitment to 20% reservation for “upper classes”.
“Once our government is formed, we will pass a resolution in the state assembly and then take it to Parliament,” Solanki added.
I am sure he will promise OBC status (in the meeting) if the Congress is voted to power in Gujarat. After that, the PAAS will declare its support to the Congress. HARDIK PATEL , Patidar leader