Patel-quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel on Wednesday declared his support for the Congress in the Gujarat Assembly elections next month and said the Opposition party had accepted its demand for reservation for the Patel community.
The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader said the Congress will include the extension of reservation benefit to Patidars in its election manifesto. "Congress has said that it will form a commission on reservation after coming to power. We have agreed to their proposal," Patel said while addressing the media.
When asked about ticket distribution for the upcoming Gujarat polls, he said, "There have been talks about me trying to strike a deal on tickets. We never sought any tickets. Political accusations were leveled even during the Anna Hazare and JP movement".
"We are not openly extending support to Congress, but we will fight BJP. So directly or indirectly, there will be support to Congress", Patel said.
"People ask me if I have dumped the Patidar movement for politics. I wish to assure them that my fight for the cause will continue regardless of who is in power", Patel added.
Key points from Hardik Patel's press conference:
# We are not openly extending support to Congress, but we will fight BJP. So directly or indirectly, there will be support to Congress: Hardik Patel
# I appeal to the people of Gujarat to vote using their conscience.
# I will never join any political party. My fight for the rights of the Patidar community will continue even if Congress comes to power.
# We will fight alongside those who will speak about our rights. We are not Congress agents or its supporters. Congress talks about the welfare of poor and farmers.
# On the issue of tickets: There have been talks about me trying to strike a deal on tickets. We never sought any tickets. Political accusations were levelled even during the Anna Hazare and JP movement, says Hardik Patel
# We have held 5-7 meetings with the Congress party. They are ready to conduct a survey on the economic situation of the community. The Patidar community is also of the view that we should accept their formula.
# Congress has agreed to provide reservation to the Patidar community without disturbing the existing structure, if they come to power
# Will hold a mega rally in Rajkot on November 29, says Hardik
# Congress will have to put the formula on reservations for the Patidar community in their manifesto, Patel says
# Reservations beyond the 50 per cent limit possible, says Hardik Patel
# People ask me if I have dumped the Patidar movement for politics. I wish to assure them that my fight for the cause will continue regardless of who is in power.
# We are not agents of the Congress and have no enmity with the BJP either, but a fight against BJP is important.
# We never sought tickets from Congress for ourselves but wanted youngsters to get tickets
# Congress has said that it will form a commission on reservation after coming to power. We have agreed to their proposal.
# Congress will conduct a survey on the economic situation of Patidar community and we have agreed to their proposal.
# Congress will bring a bill in the state Assembly to provide reservation to Patidars once they form government, Patel says.
# Congress has agreed to our demands on reservation, says Hardik Patel.
