Gujarat: Hardik Patel flip-flops on quota stir

Patidar reservation stir leader and Congress' fresh face Hardik Patel declared on Wednesday that the community's quota agitation had ended with the Centre's announcement of 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections, only to retract it minutes later, stating the agitation would continue till cases against Patidar youths were withdrawn.

"Naturally, after the 10 per cent reservation was granted by the central government, there cannot be any agitation (for a separate quota for Patidar community). If we still agitate over the demand, we will be accused of playing politics over the issue," said Hardik in Rajkot after a meeting with community leaders to discuss the release of quota leader Alpesh Kathiriya, jailed since March 19 in a sedition case.

However, as Hardik's surprise announcement evoked mixed reactions from Patidar community leaders, he issued a clarification that PAAS would continue the agitation in a peaceful manner till the top court verdict on the quota comes in. His clarification came in light of his former associate, Varun Patel, who is now with BJP, alleging that Hardik had conveniently called off the agitation after securing a good position for himself in Congress party.

Lalji Patel of Sardar Patel Group also said separately that the agitation would continue.

"The agitation has been slowed down, not called off," Hardik clarified.

Earlier, Khodaldham Trust leader Naresh Patel, a highly respected and influential figure in the community, also said that the Patidar reservation fight was a thing of the past. "There is no existence of the reservation stir now," he said.

Hardik said that it was decided in the meeting to form a committee to hold talks with the state government for Kathiriya's release from jail, and for withdrawal of the 2015 protest cases against other Patidar youths. The committee would comprise two members of Khodaldham Trust, two from Umiyadham, and two PAAS members, he said.