MNS chief Raj Thackeray only leader I respect: Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel

It is neither AAP's Arvind Kejriwal or PM Narendra Modi, but Raj Thackeray who the 22 year-old Hardik Patel admires, reports The Hindustan Times. The young leader whose protest over demand for OBC status for the Gujarat's Patidar community has left ten dead in last two days in the state, even says he would like to work with the MNS chief.

In the interview with the daily, Hardik has said that he likes Raj's 'power and oratory'. " His writ doesn't run too much in Mumbai, but he speaks the truth. I can work with him," he said.

The Mahasrashtra leader's uncle Bal Thackeray too was someone he looked up to along with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Hardik said they were his role models as they were decisive and strong.

While there were reports saying that he was earlier associated with AAP, Hardik has said that he would rather work with 'dabhangai' (aggression) which the party lacked. 

He gave a clear view on the quota issue, saying that the government should either abolish the reservation system or include every citizen. "There are no jobs, no education, no scholarships because those with reservations have taken it all," he said. When countered with the condition of Dalits and tribals and their need for the quota, the Patidari Anamat Andolan Samiti leader said that it is not other communities' fault that their condition did not improve in 60 years. " Other communities cannot lose out and suffer?" he asked.

Dismissing reports that said that the Patel were a financially and politically influential community, Hardik said that just about 5-10% of the community were wealthy. Adding that Gujarat was just like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, he said that farmers in the state were in a dire situation. "...9,000 farmers have committed suicide in ten years. We are fighting for equality," he said.

Hardik has said that he was ready to talk to the government but hinted that the state CM Anandiben did not run the show. "Someone else has all the power," Hardik said

The report states that he has even asked the community to cease supplying milk and vegetables to the cities and withdraw money from the bank. "India's economy will collapse," he said.

There is concern about the state of affairs in Gujarat over the quota issue as Gujjars and Jats from neighbouring state Rajasthan and Haryana respectively have extended support to them. The Patel community also holds political power in the state. The community makes up 12-15% of Gujarat's population. They have been supporting the BJP traditionally and have warned the party of undesirable electoral outcome if their demands are not met.

Hardik says at though at his age he cannot vote he will get others to contest and hold the reins. He said that he has the support of seven million Patel community members as well as from NRI Patidars.

He said that the members of the community in India were helping with funds for his huge movement. He denied that any party was lending financial help. "We are not that poor also. If 70 lakh people give a rupee each, that is 70 lakh rupees," he said.

His political goal was to implementation of the reservation for Patels, killing all arrested terrorist immediately and maintaining harmonious relationship with Muslims.

Challenger to Modi?

Hardik harshly criticised Narendra Modi on development and security issues. He said that farmers, soldiers and workers were still suffering despite Modi's rise to power. He said that India and Pakistan ties have worsened. "He has brought China to India," he said. He also said that the Pakistan issue should have been handled intelligently.

He lambasted the PM over the entire suit issue. The PM should be simple, he said. "Should the PM wear a suit? He wears one with his name and then sells it," he said.

Hardik said that the movement has 12-member social media team using Facebook and Whatsapp regularly. At least two million WhatsApp messages are sent every day. Hardik credits 60% of the movement's success to social media and 40% to hardwork.