Internal conflicts between the two factions of agitating Patidars are surfacing over the issue of taking ownership of pro-quota stir at a time the stage for resolving the issue has been set as the State Government has gone soft on agitators.
In protest of his insult during a rally at North Gujarat town Mahesna, convener of Sardar Patel Group (SPG) lalaji Patel resigned from his post. SPG is also demanding reservation for Patidars in Government jobs and educational institutions along with other organisation Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) headed by 22-year-old Hardik Patel.
Sources said that lalji was apparently was angry over after he was not allowed to go on the stage during a protest rally at Mahesana. He faced the ire of members of PAAS when he tried to go on stage.
From the beginning of pro-quota agitation in Gujarat, both PAAS and SPG are having serious problem over the ownership of the agitation.
Interestingly in the function at Mehsana, PAAS supported not only stopped him going on the stage but they also shouted slogan against him even after lalji’s name was announced as one of the dignitaries to be seated on the dais.
Following the incident the SPG convener said that it was a personal attack and insult on him by his detractors and in protest he would like to submit resignation from the post of president.
According to him, despite spending 17 long years serving the community, he was insulted. He, however said that only handful of PAAS members were responsible because of selfish motive. They did the same on August 25, 2015 during Mahakranti Rally at GMDC ground in Ahmedabad, he added.
Clarifying on his visit to Mehsana that too without invitation, he further said that he went there a son of Patidar community and as some of the Patidar leaders saw him, they insisted him to come on stage and subsequently his name was announced.
“Mehsana convener of PAAS Suresh Patel reacted rudely and he snatched microphone from announcer and started shouting slogan against me. On his indication I was heckled and insulted in front of thousands of people,” said lalji. Responding to lalji’s resignation, SPG general secretary told the media persons that SPG workers wouldn’t accept his resignation as he had not done anything wrong.
It is worth mentioning that after Porbandar MP Vithal Radadia’s intervention PAAS convener broke the fast agitation in Surat jail and shown readiness to talk with the state government, lalji commented that Hardik was not authorised to initiate talk with the government on behalf of the whole community.