A lot of ruckuses is being caused over the agreement between the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and the Congress. The Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel had stated that the community will support the party who agrees to the demands of reservation to the Patidars under the OBC quota.
Congress, who is trying hard to nail the assembly election in Gujarat by hook or crook wanted to gain the support of the Ptidars and hence came up with some formula. The options suggested by Congress senior leader Kapil Sibal was not disturbing the reservation quota of 50% allocated by the Constitution of India but was still fulfilling the demands of the community.
After much drama and twists and turns, the PAAS was finally content with the options given by the Congress. However, just a few after they reached to an agreement, there entered into clashes after Congress released its first list of candidates.
While all this chaos was going on the Patidar agitation leader, Hardik Patel had not once said anything regarding the agreement between PAAS and Congress or the Patidars backing the party in the upcoming assembly elections.
After almost 48 hours of Silence, Hardik finally gave a statement saying that Congress has agreed to give reservation to the Patidar community if voted to power, but even now he did not extend the support of the community to Congress.
Speaking at a public rally at Tragad village near Dholka town, Hardik said that “We never asked for any ticket. There is no conflict within PAAS… We have never appealed to anyone to vote for Congress, but since they are talking about our rights, we leave it on the people to decide.” This statement of Patel seems like is in wake of the recent outburst that took place between Congress and PAAS regarding the distribution of tickets.
Though he did not openly announce, supporting the Congress, however, he said that “We are not openly extending support to the Congress, but we will fight the BJP. So directly or indirectly there will be a support to the Congress.” He also cleared that he will not be joining any party, nor will be contesting the polls.
Addressing the gathering, Hardik also made quite a few sarcastic comments both for Congress and BJP clearly indicating that he is only concerned about the demands of the Patidars and is not a supporter of any political party.
Not naming any political leader or any party, in particular, Hardik pulled down on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP government. He said that “People in India and across the globe wrongly believe that we Gujaratis are clever as we are a business community. But the fact is we are not… the only thing left now is to write on our forehead — I am not clever. The 182 legislators are not at fault. Neither is the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister. It is us who elect such donkeys as leaders.”
The agitation leader also confidently claimed and openly declared that the PAAS is fighting against the BJP. “I am openly saying we are fighting against the BJP and will defeat it,” he said.
Further attacking Narendra Modi, the Patidar leader said that “He will become a dictator. After 2019, he will ensure there are no elections. He (PM) said in Uttar Pradesh that he gives 24-hour electricity in Gujarat but never did. He has used us across the country… he is wrong, wrong, and wrong. So, I fight him.”
Talking about the agreement regarding the reservation to the Patidars under the OBC quota, Hardik Patel said that “We have asked Congress that if they come to power then they must pass a bill within a month…Congress will have to put this reservation formula in details, in their manifesto.”
Further speaking on the options suggested by the Congress and the agreement met between PAAS and COngress, Hardik said that “Congress people are not our cousins, but when they speak about our rights we have to listen to it. And the formula they have offered is plausible.”
Underlining the reservation demands of the community, he said that “Nowhere in the Indian constitution it is written that more than 50 percent reservation cannot be given. Congress has promised to put its formula to give reservation to non-reserved categories in its election manifesto.”
He also cleared that the formula suggested by the Congress was in no way unconstitutional, it was practical and could be brought into practice. He said that “the party has agreed to give Patidars reservations under section 31 and provisions of section 46 and it will bring in a bill when they come to power in Gujarat.”
He also alleged that the BJP was fearing its defeat and hence were indulging in the horse trade. He accused that “Several horse trading attempts being made with our conveners in North Gujarat, Rs 50 lakh being offered. BJP using its tactics as it fears defeat.” He also indirectly revealed that he was offered Rs 1200 crore to quit the agitation. I am not ‘bikau’. Otherwise, I could have accepted the offer of Rs 1200 crore from K Kailashnathan (Chief Principal Secretary to Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani) when I was in jail,” Patel alleged.
While addressing the gathering at Transad village Hardik made scathing attacks on both the Congress and BJP, clearly indicating the anger of the Patidar community. He said that “Just remember one thing, we have to decimate those who have committed atrocities on us. I will not tell you who to vote for. Both the BJP and the Congress are the same. For them, the people are of no value. Just use your wisdom while giving your vote and choose the one who assures you justice.”
After the number of meetings held between the PAAS and the Congress to reach to a mutual agreement, it was being speculated that Hardik Patel would finally announce the Patidars support to the Congress. However, nothing of this happened, even though he only indirectly said that the community will be backing congress in the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.
These statements of Hardik Patel, after almost 48 hours of silence are being speculated in wake of the alterations that Congress made in its first candidate list, making way for 4 PAAS members and giving them the tickets.
The Gujarat sassembly elections are being regarded as a deciding factor for how much foothols the BJP still have ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due in 2019. Also, the Patidars have more or less become the game changers, as their support to either of the party will be a major factor responsible for the victory.
The Gujarat assembly elections will be held in two phases on 9 and 14 Dec and the results of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections will simultaneously be announced on 18 Dec.