Gujarat assembly elections 2017: Patidars warn Congress to clear stand on reservation in 24 hrs or face opposition

With Gujarat assembly elections just around the corner, the cracks in Patidar and Congress friendship has started showing and on Saturday they were even visible when one of Hardik Patel’s close aid gave 24-hour ultimatum to the party to clear its stand on reservation.

The ultimatum came hours after a meeting between Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibbal and 13 Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leaders on Friday late night ended in a stalemate.

“Congress gave us time to meet, but that didn’t happen after waiting for the entire day despite the fact that State president was present in the national capital. Congress humiliated us,” said miffed Dinesh Bambhania, a close aid of PAAS leader Hardik Patel.

He said, “Congress leaders don’t take our calls, better the party clear its stand in next 24 hours and explain why they made fun of us by inviting for talks. Else, the party has to face massive opposition from PAAS in Gujarat.”

Earlier in the month, the Congress had given three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Sndolan Samiti (PASS) on how reservation will be provided to the Patidar community in educational institutions and government jobs.

The proposal given by the Congress has not touched 49 percent reservation for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. “The options provided are over and above current 49 percent quota,” Bambhania said.

Bambhania also added that they have rejected Congress’s reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class.