With lok Sabha polls are coming closer Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel is gearing up to take on ruling BJP in support of opposition Congress party.
On Tuesday as part of his strategy Hardik wrote a letter to Patidar MlAs of both the parties - Congress as well BJP to participate in a Patel community event that would decide on the future of quota stir.
‘For last three years, Patel community has been fighting for the rights of its future generation. Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) seeks to carry forward this agitation and as part of this initiative has organised a Patidar Nyay Panchayat on May 26 in Dhrangadhra district. PAAS would like to invite Patel legislators from your party to participate in this Mahapanchayat and it would be imperative for you to come amidst the community and extend your support for the movement,’ Hardik Patel said in his letter addressed to state BJP president Jitu Vaghani and leader of Opposition in the state assembly Paresh Dhanani. Both Vaghani and Dhanani are Patidars.
Hardik had become a face of Patel quota stir that began in June of 2015, wherein Patels across the state organised themselves to hold massive rallies and build pressure on BJP governments in the state to consider their demand for quotas to government jobs and educational institutions.
The movement was attributed to have seen fall of Anandiben Patel government in the state. The Patel quota stir also fuelled several other communities and groups in the state to organise themselves in support of their respective demands, leading to ruling BJP witness its strength in 182-seat Assembly post 2018 Assembly polls dwindle to less than 100 in over two-and-a-half decade rule in the state.
‘If you fail to attend the event, it would be construed that you are not in support of community’s fight for reservations,’ Hardik states in his letter.
The reactions to Hardik’s letter have been on party lines too. While Congress appeared more receptive, BJP state President Jitu Vaghani was scathing in his reply.
‘Who HardikIJ...I don’t know anyone who does not love BJP. It is not necessary to reply to any Congress stooges who are enjoying their lives on Congress money. There are enough elders within the community who can think good of the community,’ Vaghani said speaking to media persons.