Even as exit polls predict an easy victory for the ruling BJP in Gujarat, the road to power might turn out to be anything but smooth for the party. Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel has now declared that if the BJP comes to power, the reservation agitation will continue with greater intensity. "We have not stopped the agitation. It will not be stopped until our goal is achieved. In the event the BJP comes to power, we renew the agitation for reservation with more vigour," said Patel.
"Goli maarna hai to maar de, mein jaan deene ko taiyaar hu," said Hardik about his plan to agitate if BJP comes to power. He, however, also insisted that the Congress would win over 100 seats. "There is a lot of anger among the people against the BJP," adding that the Congress formula was acceptable to him and the party would implement it when it came to power. "If the Congress fails to do so, we will continue the agitation against them too," said Hardik.
Even before the elections, Hardik held several rallies and meetings, urging the people to vote for Congress, stating that it was important to teach the BJP a lesson. Almost all his rallies were well attended, but it remains to be seen if his appeal to the voters worked or not.
Additionally, he has also planned a Gujarat yatra in the coming days, where he will meet people and discuss their problems. He will also seek to fortify support for the reservation cause. "I will visit places I haven't gone to and revisit places that I have already been to and meet people," said Hardik. He said his plans will include rallies, otla panchayat (small meetings) roadshows, etc, all in an effort to widen his appeal beyond the Patidar community. In the meantime, in the run up to the 2017 election results, the leader is holding meetings in Gandhinagar to decide the future course of action.
