Alleged sex video of 24-year-old pro-quota Patidar leader Hardik Patel that went viral on the social media platform has augmented political heat in the poll-bound Gujarat.
In the said video, a look alike of the top leader of Patidar Anamat Aandolan Samiti (PAAS) is seen with an unidentified lady in a compromising situation in a hotel room. On one hand, supporters of Hardik claimed that the video was morphed. However, those who are against the young leader said that the person is Hardik only.
‘‘If it would be proved that the male featured in the video is Hardik, his public life will be over. It will be proved that the money he received from various sources for the cause of Patidar community is being used for personal pleasure,’’ said a Patidar leader requesting anonymity.
Responding on the alleged video, Hardik said that it was a conspiracy against him by BJP. In the past too, such video of BJP leader Sanjay Joshi came in the public domain and it ruined his career, claimed Hardik adding that despite such attempts he will continue to fight against the saffron party without any fear.
Another Patidar community organisation Sardar Patel Group which is also demanding reservation in Government jobs and educational institutions under OBC category for Patels has demanded a judicial probe in over the issue of alleged sex video clipping of Hardik Patel. The outfit has also demanded to send the video clipping to Forensic Science laboratory (FSl) in order to bring out truth.
Hardik went on to say that few days back he had told that his sex video would come out to discourage him ahead of the Gujarat polls. According to him, it was just a beginning of a dirty politics still much more to come.
Meanwhile, Delhi based Patidar quota leader Ashwin Sankaseria added fuel to the controversy by saying that Hardik will have to provide evidence in four days that the male featuring in the video is not him.
‘‘If he fails to do that, I will release more evidences against PAAS conveners. I have proof on Morbi PAAS convener’s sex scandal,’’ he said.
He went on to say that people especially from Patidar community shouldn’t be allowed such characterless people in their houses. Even Hardik needed to come out clean by filing police complaint over the video, otherwise he too would come under doubt, he said adding that during his visit to Delhi, Hardik introduced a lady who accompanied him as his wife. According to him, the lady seen in the video was different from that lady.