Gujarat Elections 2017 | Ravan's arrogance had ruined Lanka: Hardik Patel

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel compared BJP's development theory with Ravan's Lanka.

The 24-year-old quota protest leader was addressing a rally at Patidar-dominated Nikol in Ahmedabad on Monday. He also urged people to vote BJP out in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Addressing a crowd of around 25,000 people who turned up to listen to him around 9 pm, Hardik said, "We have heard in Ramayana that there used to be Ravan's kingdom Lanka, and it was built of pure gold. King Ravana had also carried out development works, but the entire kingdom of Golden Lanka vanished because the king became arrogant.

The BJP was talking about development a week ago, but has now diverted to Ram Mandir, Hindu-Muslim and India-Pakistan. They are lying, and you should not fall in their trap."

"What would Pakistan gain from Gujarat polls? They are trying to divert the issue, but we need to stay united. Ignore all kinds of threats or fears you received or felt. Let us them show our strength; they are powerful only because of you. One can say that he/she does not like other party, but let us give them a chance to serve us for five years and test them," Hardik said.

He claimed that not only Patidars but people from all communities had turned up to listen to him here. He appealed to them that if they wanted to secure the future of their next generation, they need to bring change. In the 2015 civic polls, a few months ago, back to Hardik Patel's maha rally in Ahmedabad, BJP won with thumping majority and Hardik showed the concern on that too.

He said, "When during the 2015 civic polls, I was in jail and you did not give desired results. How can you forget the atrocities on our women and our 14 youths who were killed in police firing? Their sacrifices should not go in vein this time. Make a resolution that you will not vote for the BJP and will not let others do so."

Hardik slammed the education system and unemployment issue as well.

He raised his voice against the issues in rural Gujarat, including agriculture and others. He urged his audience to take an oath that they would not vote for the BJP in the upcoming polls.