Cong offers 3 quota options to Patidars

Hardik skips Sibal’s meeting Patels to consult lawyers

Ahmedabad, Nov. 9: The Congress has given three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) with respect to the latter’s quota demand for its community, even as members of the influential Patel organisation said that they will consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision.

The possible quota options were conveyed to PAAS members by former Union minister and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal at a meeting which started at 11.30 pm on Wednes-day and ended at about 2 am. Hardik Patel did not attend the meeting.

“We have been given three options by the Congress on how to provide reservation to our community in educational institutions and government jobs,” PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania said after the meeting.

Mr Sibal said, “We have discus-sed all the aspects and will do all the things (to provide reservation to the Patidar community) as per the Constitution.”

Mr Bambhania said, “The options that have been given by the Congress will be kept confidential till we discuss it with Hardik, community leaders and legal experts. If the community accepts the demand, we will convey it accordingly to the Congress.”

“The Congress proposal has not touched 49 per cent reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exist in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it,” he