Patidar leaders meet BJP chief Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani

Ahead of the April 23 Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat, some prominent Patidar community leaders led by C K Patel held a meeting with BJP president Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, deputy CM Nitin Patel and other government functionaries on Thursday.

Shah, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Gandhinagar seat, was in the city on Thursday to attend a social function. He left early Friday morning.

CK Patel, who is associated with Vishva Umiya Dham, addressing a press conference Friday, said the meeting was aimed at drawing the government and party's attention towards some unresolved issues concerning the community.

Some of the key issues discussed during the meeting were withdrawal of cases against quota agitators, jobs for the family members of those Patidars who were killed in the 2015 stir, and proper implementation of schemes meant for unreserved classes, he said.

"The meeting has nothing to do with the Lok Sabha polls. Nothing political was discussed. Patidar leaders made a representation on various issues concerning the community. The government's response during the meeting was positive," Patel told reporters.

Notably, Patel had played a key role in inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lay the foundation stone of Rs 1,000 crore Umiya Dham complex near the city last month.

When asked if the meeting was aimed at devising a strategy to counter quota spearhead and Congress leader Hardik Patel, he claimed nothing related to Hardik was discussed.

"The Patidar community will always remain with the BJP. There is no doubt about it. I am appealing to the youth not to get misguided, as the government's approach towards the community is also positive," he added.