In an eventful day a delegation of Patidar community including 22-year-old PAAS convener’s father met Gujarat Chief Minister Aanandiben Patel with their list of demands to resolve the reservation stir issue even as Ahmedabad Sessions court rejected bail plea of Hardik.
On Tuesday the Additional sessions judge Naresh Dave rejected the bail plea filed on behalf of Hardik Patel in a case of Sedition charges levied by Ahmedabad crime branch. “Considering the seriousness of the offence and the role played by the applicant, this court is not inclined to exercise discretion in favour of the applicant, hence…the application filed by the applicant - accused in hereby rejected,” said the court.
Before the rejection of PAAS convener’ bail plea a delegation of Patidar leaders submitted a sealed envelope from Hardik containing a list of 27 demands to the chief minister. The meeting was attended by Porbander MP Vithal Radadia. State BJP President and senior minister Vijay Rupani and his colleague Nitin Patel were also present in the meeting.
The delegation, including several community and religious leaders, sought setting up of a Patidaar Commission as well as quota demand for Patel community to government jobs and educational institutions and withdrawal of all cases related to pro-quota agitation against Patel youth lodged behind bars in the State. Several Patel leaders have been behind bars for over two months on several charges, including Sedition.
Radadia is mediating between Patidar leaders and the state government for some time now. He had played a key role in persuading Hardik to give up his indefinite fast last month and has held series of meeting with the jailed leader in lajpore Jail of Surat.
Post meeting Radadia said that the State Government would reach a decision after studying the demands in detail. He did not divulge on the content of sealed cover that was submitted to Gujarat chief minister. It is not clear what transpired at the meeting but sources say that he primarily sought speedy withdrawal of cases against Patel quota leaders and their early release from jails.