Gujarat: Congress accepts 4 of 5 demands of Hardik's faction
Gujarat Congress and Hardik Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) met to discuss the possibility of an alliance for the Assembly elections. Congress accepted four of PAAS' demands but will hold another meeting to discuss the main issue of providing Patidars with constitutionally valid reservations. Providing reservations is Hardik's pre-condition for extending support to Congress. Which all demands have they agreed upon? Read on!
Which of Patidars' demands were accepted?
In the meeting, Congress offered to withdraw all cases, including sedition, against Patidars. An SIT will probe police excesses during the 2015 agitation and those guilty would be punished. A Savarna Vikas Aayog for general category communities with a Rs. 2,000cr corpus will provide education and skill development. Further, each family which lost a member in police firing will be compensated with Rs. 35L.
How will Congress-Patidars proceed with the quota issue?
After the meeting, PAAS leaders said another round of talks will be held on November 7 to resolve the quota issue. Hardik said Congress agreed to consult lawyers/experts to discuss a quota provision that would not be protested in the court. Congress has been reluctant about giving Patidars reservation in the OBC category and has offered them reservation under the economically backward classes.
What does this mean for Congress and Patidars?
Earlier, Hardik threatened to disrupt Congress VP Rahul Gandhi's rally if Congress didn't clarify its stand about providing Patidars' reservation under OBC category. However, after the meeting, PAAS' Alpesh Kathiria said "We have decided neither to oppose Rahul's public meeting in Surat on November 3 nor support it." Though Rahul may not meet Hardik on November 1-3, the alliance appears to be a certainty.
Meanwhile, BJP accuses Congress-PAAS of match-fixing
CM Vijay Rupani said "This is a clear match-fixing between Congress and PAAS. This match was fixed two years ago and today's meeting has only confirmed this. Congress is taking Patidars for a ride as what they promised, we have already given."
