I’m not in the govt, don’t ask about quota: Hardik
AHMEDABAD: After avoiding a formal announcement for two days on the reservation formula hammered out between his outfit and the Congress in Gujarat, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel told a Patidar rally in Dholka near Ahmedabad that he cannot predict when the community will get reservation as he was not the government.
“In order to oppose me, some people ask me when the reservation will be allotted? I should’t be asked this question. I am not (in) government,” he told the crowd of mostly young supporters.
On the other hand, Congress reiterated that only PAAS could make any announcement related to quota arrangement. “The talks have been very positive. It’s now up to the PAAS to make any announcement,” Congress state president Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki told HT.
The PAAS, which has been up in arms against the BJP government, at the end of three rounds of talks with the Congress over 20% economically backward class quota, had Sunday declared the two parties have found a solution. But before Hardik’s scheduled announcement on Monday, the Congress’ first list released late Sunday night sparked clashes between its and PAAS’ workers in Ahmedabad and Surat.
Although the Congress Monday changed four candidates, bringing in former BJP MLA Dhiru Gajera, believed to be a PAAS supporter, as its candidate for Varachha Road in Surat city, Hardik put off the quota-related announcement for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.
The young Patidar leader, however, indirectly campaigned for the Congress. “We are fools to have the same government for 25 years. Instead, we should support the one who talks about giving us jobs, affordable education and subsidy to farmers.”
Patel did not mention the Congress or its vice-president Rahul Gandhi. But Gandhi, who since September end has undertaken the four-leg Navsarjan Yatra covering all four zones in Gujarat, had raised the issue of unemployment, expensive private education and unavailability of satisfactory support price and subsidy for agricultural produce.
Two close aides of Patel and co-conveners in PAAS, Dinesh Bambhania and Alpesh Kathiria, who on Sunday night were engaged in heated exchange with Congress workers over ticket distribution, were not present at Tuesday’s rally. Bambhania, who alleged that Congress included two PAAS members in its list without their consent, had threatened to stage protest against its and PAAS’ candidates.
On Tuesday, Bambhania told HT: “There was some misunderstanding. It is clear now and the PAAS is united,” he said.
At the rally, Hardik also tried to play down the issue of reservation. “You (the OBC) get reservation. Is anyone from you in the police? Communities under quota too do not get the jobs.”