<p>With the Gujarat elections just around the corner, a &quot;sex CD&quot; has gone viral on social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News reports said the CD showed &quot;intimate moments&quot; between a man and a woman. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The allegation -- which has not been proved -- is that the man in the video is Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Patel reacted to the allegation, tweeting:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??????,????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/930005238991478784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;This is the beginning of dirty politics. Defame me, it will not make a difference,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;But the women of Gujarat are being insulted,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>A prophecy foretold</strong></p>

<p>The interesting thing is Hardik had foretold -- on November 10 -- the release of the sex CD.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hardik had said then that the BJP would be responsible, and that they would do so for electoral gain.</p>

<p>&quot;The BJP has prepared a doctored sex CD to defame me and it will be released just before the election. What else can one expect from the BJP? So just wait, watch and enjoy,&quot; Hardik had said then.</p>

<p>When he was asked how he knew about the CD, Hardik had said, &quot;This is typical of the BJP.&quot;</p>

<p><strong>The Patidar </strong><strong>agit</strong><strong>ation</strong></p>

<p>Patel had led the massive Patidar agitation in the state in 2015.</p>

<p>The Patidars had been asking for reservations for the community in government jobs and educational institutions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress has since been courting Patel, who has said that he will work towards beating the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-invites-hardik-patel-to-contest-gujarat-elections-22699" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Congress invites Hardik Patel to contest Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-cong-gives-3-quota-options-to-patidars-who-say-theyll-get-back-to-them-23775" target="_blank">Also read: Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they&#39;ll get back to them</a></p>

<p><strong>Not the first time</strong></p>

<p>This is not the first time an attempt has been made to defame Patel.</p>

<p>A sex CD was released in 2015 also, with exactly the same allegation -- that it was Hardik in the video.</p>


With the Gujarat elections just around the corner, a "sex CD" has gone viral on social media. News reports said the CD showed "intimate moments" between a man and a woman. The allegation -- which has not been proved -- is that the man in the video is Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). Patel reacted to the allegation, tweeting: ?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??????,????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??? ???? — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) November 13, 2017 × "This is the beginning of dirty politics. Defame me, it will not make a difference," he said. "But the women of Gujarat are being insulted," he added. A prophecy foretold The interesting thing is Hardik had foretold -- on November 10 -- the release of the sex CD. Hardik had said then that the BJP would be responsible, and that they would do so for electoral gain. "The BJP has prepared a doctored sex CD to defame me and it will be released just before the election. What else can one expect from the BJP? So just wait, watch and enjoy," Hardik had said then. When he was asked how he knew about the CD, Hardik had said, "This is typical of the BJP." The Patidar agitation Patel had led the massive Patidar agitation in the state in 2015. The Patidars had been asking for reservations for the community in government jobs and educational institutions. The Congress has since been courting Patel, who has said that he will work towards beating the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections. Also read: Congress invites Hardik Patel to contest Gujarat elections Also read: Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they'll get back to them Not the first time This is not the first time an attempt has been made to defame Patel. A sex CD was released in 2015 also, with exactly the same allegation -- that it was Hardik in the video.

Gujarat elections: Sex CD goes viral, allegation is it features Hardik Patel

<p>Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter&#39;s quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision.</p>

<p>The options were conveyed to the PAAS members by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal at the meeting which took place at 11:30 PM and ended at about 2 AM.</p>

<p>&quot;We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community in educational institutions and government jobs,&quot; PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania said after the meeting.</p>

<p>He, however, did not divulge the details of the options.</p>

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<h5>The Congress proposal has not touched 49% reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it</h5>
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<p>&quot;The options that have been given will be kept confidential till we discuss it with Hardik, social leaders of the community, legal experts and then it would be kept before our community. If the community accepts the demand, we will convey it accordingly to the Congress party,&quot; Bambhania said.</p>

<p>He said, &quot;The Congress proposal has not touched 49 per cent reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it.&quot;</p>

<p>The PAAS convener said the meeting took place in a &quot;very cordial atmosphere&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;We have rejected the Congress&#39; reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class as it is not constitutionally valid,&quot; Bambhania said.</p>

<p>Sibal, after the meeting, told a press conference that &quot;today&#39;s meeting between Congress leaders and PAAS has brought hope that something can be worked out.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;We have discussed all the aspects and will do all the things (to provide reservation to the Patidar community) as per the constitution,&quot; the Congress leader said.</p>

<p>He said they would again meet in the next two-three days.</p>

<p>&quot;We expect that the matter will become clear in two to three days,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The PAAS members met Sibal to discuss modalities of providing reservation to Patidars if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat.</p>

<p>The meeting was scheduled at 9 pm but Sibal reached the venue late.</p>

<p>Hardik, the Patidar quota agitation spearhead, who had earlier set a condition that he would support the Congress in the Assembly election, due next month, only if the party committed itself to allotting reservation in education and government jobs to his community, was not present in the meeting.</p>

<p>He had set November 7 as the deadline for the Congress to make its stand clear on the issue.</p>

<p>The polling for the two-phase elections in the state will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.&nbsp;</p>


'We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community,' Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Dinesh Bambhania said

Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter's quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision. The options were conveyed to the PAAS members by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal at the meeting which took place at 11:30 PM and ended at about 2 AM. "We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community in educational institutions and government jobs," PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania said after the meeting. He, however, did not divulge the details of the options. The Congress proposal has not touched 49% reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it × "The options that have been given will be kept confidential till we discuss it with Hardik, social leaders of the community, legal experts and then it would be kept before our community. If the community accepts the demand, we will convey it accordingly to the Congress party," Bambhania said. He said, "The Congress proposal has not touched 49 per cent reservations for SC, ST and OBC which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it." The PAAS convener said the meeting took place in a "very cordial atmosphere". "We have rejected the Congress' reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class as it is not constitutionally valid," Bambhania said. Sibal, after the meeting, told a press conference that "today's meeting between Congress leaders and PAAS has brought hope that something can be worked out." "We have discussed all the aspects and will do all the things (to provide reservation to the Patidar community) as per the constitution," the Congress leader said. He said they would again meet in the next two-three days. "We expect that the matter will become clear in two to three days," he added. The PAAS members met Sibal to discuss modalities of providing reservation to Patidars if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat. The meeting was scheduled at 9 pm but Sibal reached the venue late. Hardik, the Patidar quota agitation spearhead, who had earlier set a condition that he would support the Congress in the Assembly election, due next month, only if the party committed itself to allotting reservation in education and government jobs to his community, was not present in the meeting. He had set November 7 as the deadline for the Congress to make its stand clear on the issue. The polling for the two-phase elections in the state will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.

Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they'll get back to them

<p>During the last Assembly election in Gujarat, Narendra Modi was the chief minister; Shankersinh Vaghela was the tallest Congress leader in the State; veteran Patidar leader Keshubhai Patel had rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party and floated his own outfit, the Gujarat Parivartan Party; Sonia Gandhi had vigorously campaigned for the Congress; the Congress was in power at the Centre; 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged; and Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had passed away.</p>

<p>The BJP led by Modi had registered a resounding victory while the Congress helmed by Vaghela and consisting of a motley of lesser leaders managed just about half the number of seats the winning party got. Keshubhai Patel&rsquo;s party, contrary to its partvartan promise, could bring no change, ending with a paltry two seats. The so-called KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) combine, that had been crafted in the 1980s by Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki as his party&rsquo;s vote bank, failed to deliver &mdash; as it had on previous occasions in the past decade or so.</p>

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<h5>The last election prepared the ground for Modi&rsquo;s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party&rsquo;s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll.</h5>
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<p>Now, as the people of Gujarat prepare to vote in a few weeks from now for a new Assembly, much has changed. Modi is the country&rsquo;s Prime Minister; Vaghela has quit the Congress and is expected to harm his former party&rsquo;s prospects; Keshubhai Patel has reconciled to being a non-entity in the State&rsquo;s politics; the Hardik Patel factor has been introduced to lure the Patidar votes away from the BJP; Balasaheb Thackeray&rsquo;s son and successor Uddhav Thackeray has turned into more of a rival than an ally (which is officially is) of the ruling party; Sonia Gandhi may not campaign extensively owing to her health; Rahul Gandhi, soon to be made Congress president, is at the forefront of his party&rsquo;s electoral battle; and, the BJP has replaced the Congress at the Centre.</p>

<p>Yet, some things remain the same. Modi in 2017, as in 2012, is the BJP&rsquo;s mascot and the Congress&rsquo;s chief enemy and a wall yet to be dented. Like in 2012, Modi is hard selling &lsquo;development&rsquo; and Gujarati pride in 2017 as well. Rahul Gandhi is seeking to establish his credentials as a serious and credible politician, something he had attempted in 2012 as well.</p>

<p>The Muslim voters of the State are as wary of the BJP today as they were in 2012, and they have to do with the ruling party&rsquo;s slogan of &ldquo;Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas&rdquo;. Finally, if the Gujarat election in 2012 was important on account of Modi, it is more so in 2017. The last election prepared the ground for Modi&rsquo;s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party&rsquo;s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll.</p>

<p>The gloves are off on both the sides. Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi have visited Gujarat on several occasions and are expected to keep doing so in the run-up to the election. If Modi has sought to leverage &lsquo;development&rsquo;, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the &lsquo;divisive&rsquo; nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development.</p>

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<h5>If Modi has sought to leverage &lsquo;development&rsquo;, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the &lsquo;divisive&rsquo; nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development.</h5>
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<p>Modi talks of the Congress&rsquo;s corruption while Rahul Gandhi attacks the BJP for &lsquo;atrocities&rsquo; on Scheduled Castes and discrimination against the Muslims. If the BJP brandishes the World Bank&rsquo;s Doing Business report as a vindication of the Modi regime&rsquo;s economic policies, the Congress alleges the report was &lsquo;manufactured&rsquo; and &lsquo;fixed&rsquo;. The Congress cautions Gujarat&rsquo;s voters against social and economic disasters in case they let the BJP return to power, and the BJP warns them of a rude jolt to the development and Gujarati pride if the Congress succeeds.</p>

<p>The Congress believes, and with good reasons of its own, that it has the best chance in two decades to oust the BJP from the State. It may not have been wrong in sensing a level of disaffection among a section of the traditional BJP supporters &mdash; the business community and the Patidars, for example. The Congress is seeking to tap into the discontent among traders over disruptions caused by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, while it is hoping to swing the Patel votes its way by holding out the promise of reservations in Government jobs and educational institutions.</p>

<p>With Patidar leader Hardik Patel apparently throwing his weight behind the Congress, the opposition party is upbeat. Add to this, the anger in the Scheduled Caste community following the Una incident last year under the BJP rule. The Congress hopes to exploit this as well, although the Dalit population in the State is too insignificant to make a major overall electoral impact.</p>

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<h5>The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout.</h5>
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<p>Mindful of the new challenges which have come its way, the BJP has adopted a multi-pronged approach. For one, it has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride &mdash; juxtaposing it with the Congress&rsquo;s &lsquo;indifference&rsquo;. While dedicating the Sardar Sarovar project to the nation, Modi did not fail to underline what he alleged were obstacles that Congress regimes at the Centre had placed in the early completion of the dam work. In later meetings in the State, he spoke of the delays the Congress-led UPA had effected, in the name of environment protection, in developing coastal Gujarat.</p>

<p>Modi spoke of the Congress&rsquo;s sidelining of Gujarati pride &mdash; freedom fighter, senior Congress leader and independent India&rsquo;s first Minister for Home Affairs, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel &mdash; and mentioned the ongoing work on the Statue of Unity that the BJP had undertaken in the Iron Man&rsquo;s memory. It has been wooing important leaders of the Patidar community to blunt the Hardik Patel impact, and also highlighting Hardik Patel&rsquo;s proximity to the Congress &mdash; a party which it says had consistently betrayed the Patel cause. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout.</p>

<p>As campaigning picks up and nominations are filed and confirmed, there will emerge a better understanding at constituency levels on which way the battle is going. Certain issues will gain steam while others may fall by the wayside. The larger picture, going by published opinion polls so far, appears to be in the BJP&rsquo;s favour. The party is expected to sweep as it did in 2012. These surveys also inform that a majority of the people are unhappy with the GST mess and the effects of demonetisation. And yet, if the BJP still wins, it can only mean one thing &mdash; and one that is discouraging to the Congress: People may be unhappy with some of the BJP Government&rsquo;s decisions, but they will not necessarily vote against the party.</p>


BJP has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride ? juxtaposing it with the Congress?s ?indifference?.

During the last Assembly election in Gujarat, Narendra Modi was the chief minister; Shankersinh Vaghela was the tallest Congress leader in the State; veteran Patidar leader Keshubhai Patel had rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party and floated his own outfit, the Gujarat Parivartan Party; Sonia Gandhi had vigorously campaigned for the Congress; the Congress was in power at the Centre; 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged; and Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had passed away. The BJP led by Modi had registered a resounding victory while the Congress helmed by Vaghela and consisting of a motley of lesser leaders managed just about half the number of seats the winning party got. Keshubhai Patel’s party, contrary to its partvartan promise, could bring no change, ending with a paltry two seats. The so-called KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) combine, that had been crafted in the 1980s by Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki as his party’s vote bank, failed to deliver — as it had on previous occasions in the past decade or so. The last election prepared the ground for Modi’s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party’s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. × Now, as the people of Gujarat prepare to vote in a few weeks from now for a new Assembly, much has changed. Modi is the country’s Prime Minister; Vaghela has quit the Congress and is expected to harm his former party’s prospects; Keshubhai Patel has reconciled to being a non-entity in the State’s politics; the Hardik Patel factor has been introduced to lure the Patidar votes away from the BJP; Balasaheb Thackeray’s son and successor Uddhav Thackeray has turned into more of a rival than an ally (which is officially is) of the ruling party; Sonia Gandhi may not campaign extensively owing to her health; Rahul Gandhi, soon to be made Congress president, is at the forefront of his party’s electoral battle; and, the BJP has replaced the Congress at the Centre. Yet, some things remain the same. Modi in 2017, as in 2012, is the BJP’s mascot and the Congress’s chief enemy and a wall yet to be dented. Like in 2012, Modi is hard selling ‘development’ and Gujarati pride in 2017 as well. Rahul Gandhi is seeking to establish his credentials as a serious and credible politician, something he had attempted in 2012 as well. The Muslim voters of the State are as wary of the BJP today as they were in 2012, and they have to do with the ruling party’s slogan of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. Finally, if the Gujarat election in 2012 was important on account of Modi, it is more so in 2017. The last election prepared the ground for Modi’s elevation to the national stage; the 2017 result could solidify his and his party’s position in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. The gloves are off on both the sides. Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi have visited Gujarat on several occasions and are expected to keep doing so in the run-up to the election. If Modi has sought to leverage ‘development’, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the ‘divisive’ nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development. If Modi has sought to leverage ‘development’, Rahul Gandhi has concentrated on the ‘divisive’ nature of his rival and rubbished the claimed development. × Modi talks of the Congress’s corruption while Rahul Gandhi attacks the BJP for ‘atrocities’ on Scheduled Castes and discrimination against the Muslims. If the BJP brandishes the World Bank’s Doing Business report as a vindication of the Modi regime’s economic policies, the Congress alleges the report was ‘manufactured’ and ‘fixed’. The Congress cautions Gujarat’s voters against social and economic disasters in case they let the BJP return to power, and the BJP warns them of a rude jolt to the development and Gujarati pride if the Congress succeeds. The Congress believes, and with good reasons of its own, that it has the best chance in two decades to oust the BJP from the State. It may not have been wrong in sensing a level of disaffection among a section of the traditional BJP supporters — the business community and the Patidars, for example. The Congress is seeking to tap into the discontent among traders over disruptions caused by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, while it is hoping to swing the Patel votes its way by holding out the promise of reservations in Government jobs and educational institutions. With Patidar leader Hardik Patel apparently throwing his weight behind the Congress, the opposition party is upbeat. Add to this, the anger in the Scheduled Caste community following the Una incident last year under the BJP rule. The Congress hopes to exploit this as well, although the Dalit population in the State is too insignificant to make a major overall electoral impact. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout. × Mindful of the new challenges which have come its way, the BJP has adopted a multi-pronged approach. For one, it has stepped up its focus on development and Gujarati pride — juxtaposing it with the Congress’s ‘indifference’. While dedicating the Sardar Sarovar project to the nation, Modi did not fail to underline what he alleged were obstacles that Congress regimes at the Centre had placed in the early completion of the dam work. In later meetings in the State, he spoke of the delays the Congress-led UPA had effected, in the name of environment protection, in developing coastal Gujarat. Modi spoke of the Congress’s sidelining of Gujarati pride — freedom fighter, senior Congress leader and independent India’s first Minister for Home Affairs, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — and mentioned the ongoing work on the Statue of Unity that the BJP had undertaken in the Iron Man’s memory. It has been wooing important leaders of the Patidar community to blunt the Hardik Patel impact, and also highlighting Hardik Patel’s proximity to the Congress — a party which it says had consistently betrayed the Patel cause. The BJP is banking on its strong and decades-long socio-economic connect with the Patidar community to neutralise the Hardik Patel fallout. As campaigning picks up and nominations are filed and confirmed, there will emerge a better understanding at constituency levels on which way the battle is going. Certain issues will gain steam while others may fall by the wayside. The larger picture, going by published opinion polls so far, appears to be in the BJP’s favour. The party is expected to sweep as it did in 2012. These surveys also inform that a majority of the people are unhappy with the GST mess and the effects of demonetisation. And yet, if the BJP still wins, it can only mean one thing — and one that is discouraging to the Congress: People may be unhappy with some of the BJP Government’s decisions, but they will not necessarily vote against the party.

Gujarat election: Demonetisation vs Gujarati pride

<p>The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/want-clarity-on-patidar-reservation-issue-by-nov-7-hardik-patel-23167" target="_blank">Patidar leader Hardik Patel</a> and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-meet-gujarat-dalit-leader-mevani-congress-leader-23461" target="_blank">Congress</a> to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations.</p>

<p>Rathwa, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, made the statement at a rally before party vice president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s arrival at the tribal-dominated Nana Pondha village in Valsad district yesterday.</p>

<p>&quot;Patidars will be given reservation without interfering with the current quota of 49 per cent. There will not be any change in the current quota. If we give reservation, it has to be outside that quota,&quot; said Rathwa, a tribal leader and the senior-most Congress MLA in the state.</p>

<p>BJP leader and Union minister Parshottam Rupala today said Rathwa&#39;s remarks put both Hardik Patel and the Congress in the dock.</p>

<p>&quot;Rathwa spoke his mind. Now both Hardik and Congress need to clarify their stands, as Hardik only wanted reservation under the OBC quota, not under EBC (economically backward classes) category which was offered by the Congress. But opposition leaders are mum about granting the OBC status to Patels,&quot; Rupala said, speaking to reporters here.</p>

<p>&quot;As soon as Hardik slid towards Congress, some Congress leaders began suspecting whether there was any secret deal (to include Patels in the OBC category). After Rathwa&#39;s remarks, the Congress should clarify how it would grant reservation to Patidars under the existing OBC quota,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Earlier this week, members of Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and the Congress held a meeting and announced that an agreement has been reached on four main demands of the community. But there wasn&#39;t a final agreement on the key demand of the reservation yet, they said.</p>

<p>PAAS leaders said they will hold another round of discussions with the Congress by November 7.</p>

<p>Earlier, the Gujarat Congress had promised a 20 per cent reservation under the EBC quota to non-reserved communities including Patels if the party came to power.</p>

<p>&quot;The fact is, the Congress never said anything about OBC reservations. They only talk about EBC quota. The Gujarat government has already given a 10 per cent quota in EBC. It is now quite clear that the Congress is trying to mislead Patidars with such vague promises,&quot; said Rupala.&nbsp;</p>


The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked Patidar leader Hardik Patel and the Congress to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations

The BJP in poll-bound Gujarat today asked Patidar leader Hardik Patel and the Congress to clarify their positions after senior Congress leader Mohansinh Rathwa said it is not possible to carve out a quota for the Patidar community in the existing 49 per cent reservations. Rathwa, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, made the statement at a rally before party vice president Rahul Gandhi's arrival at the tribal-dominated Nana Pondha village in Valsad district yesterday. "Patidars will be given reservation without interfering with the current quota of 49 per cent. There will not be any change in the current quota. If we give reservation, it has to be outside that quota," said Rathwa, a tribal leader and the senior-most Congress MLA in the state. BJP leader and Union minister Parshottam Rupala today said Rathwa's remarks put both Hardik Patel and the Congress in the dock. "Rathwa spoke his mind. Now both Hardik and Congress need to clarify their stands, as Hardik only wanted reservation under the OBC quota, not under EBC (economically backward classes) category which was offered by the Congress. But opposition leaders are mum about granting the OBC status to Patels," Rupala said, speaking to reporters here. "As soon as Hardik slid towards Congress, some Congress leaders began suspecting whether there was any secret deal (to include Patels in the OBC category). After Rathwa's remarks, the Congress should clarify how it would grant reservation to Patidars under the existing OBC quota," he said. Earlier this week, members of Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and the Congress held a meeting and announced that an agreement has been reached on four main demands of the community. But there wasn't a final agreement on the key demand of the reservation yet, they said. PAAS leaders said they will hold another round of discussions with the Congress by November 7. Earlier, the Gujarat Congress had promised a 20 per cent reservation under the EBC quota to non-reserved communities including Patels if the party came to power. "The fact is, the Congress never said anything about OBC reservations. They only talk about EBC quota. The Gujarat government has already given a 10 per cent quota in EBC. It is now quite clear that the Congress is trying to mislead Patidars with such vague promises," said Rupala.

BJP questions Congress's quota promise to Patidars

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION Morning News Brief Oct. 31, 2017</strong></p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/runforunity-people-tried-to-ensure-that-sardar-vallabhbhais-contribution-is-ignored-pm-modi-23176">&nbsp;People tried to ensure contribution of&nbsp;Sardar Patel is ignored: PM Modi</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that&nbsp;people tried to ignore Sardar Patel&#39;s contribution in nation&nbsp;building, but the youth of India respects him and his contribution.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-salman-khans-acquittal-in-hit-and-run-case-23170">Supreme Court to hear plea challenging Salman Khan&#39;s acquittal in hit-and-run case today</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear a plea filed by the Maharashtra Government, challenging the acquittal of Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case.On July 5, 2016, the apex court admitted the Maharashtra Government&#39;s plea, challenging the Bombay High Court&#39;s verdict.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/want-clarity-on-patidar-reservation-issue-by-nov-7-hardik-patel-23167">Hardik Patel wants clarity on Patidar reservation issue by November 7</a></p>

<p>Patel`s statement came just hours after the first formal meeting of the Patidar community and the Congress leaders ahead of the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.&quot;I am not with or against anyone (Congress). I need clarity by November 7 on an issue of reservation to our community&quot;, he told the reporters.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhutanese-king-to-pay-four-day-visit-to-india-23171">Bhutanese King arrives in India for four-day visit today</a></p>

<p>King of Bhutan,&nbsp;Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, will arrive here on a four-day visit today.&nbsp;On November 1, he will meet&nbsp;Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.&nbsp;The Bhutanese King, Wangchuck, will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/heavy-chennai-rain-brings-city-to-a-halt-schools-and-colleges-shut-on-tuesday-one-dead-in-thanjavur-23174">Met office forecast heavy rains in Chennai; schools, colleges shut&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>After instructing schools to shut an hour earlier on Monday, the government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday as the met office forecast heavy to very heavy rains in some areas of coastal districts, including the capital city and its neighbourhood, in the next 24 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/in-defeat-for-trump-us-judge-blocks-transgender-military-ban-23164">In defeat for Trump, US judge blocks transgender military ban</a></p>

<p>A federal judge in Washington on Monday blocked President Donald Trump from banning transgender people from serving in the US&nbsp;military, handing a victory to transgender service members who accused the president of violating their constitutional rights.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


WION Morning News Brief Oct. 31, 2017 People tried to ensure contribution of Sardar Patel is ignored: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that people tried to ignore Sardar Patel's contribution in nation building, but the youth of India respects him and his contribution. Supreme Court to hear plea challenging Salman Khan's acquittal in hit-and-run case today The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear a plea filed by the Maharashtra Government, challenging the acquittal of Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case.On July 5, 2016, the apex court admitted the Maharashtra Government's plea, challenging the Bombay High Court's verdict. Hardik Patel wants clarity on Patidar reservation issue by November 7 Patel`s statement came just hours after the first formal meeting of the Patidar community and the Congress leaders ahead of the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections."I am not with or against anyone (Congress). I need clarity by November 7 on an issue of reservation to our community", he told the reporters. Bhutanese King arrives in India for four-day visit today King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, will arrive here on a four-day visit today. On November 1, he will meet Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. The Bhutanese King, Wangchuck, will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day. Met office forecast heavy rains in Chennai; schools, colleges shut After instructing schools to shut an hour earlier on Monday, the government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday as the met office forecast heavy to very heavy rains in some areas of coastal districts, including the capital city and its neighbourhood, in the next 24 hours. In defeat for Trump, US judge blocks transgender military ban A federal judge in Washington on Monday blocked President Donald Trump from banning transgender people from serving in the US military, handing a victory to transgender service members who accused the president of violating their constitutional rights.

Your Morning News Brief

<p>Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel has said that he wants clarity by November 7 on the issue of reservation to his community.</p>

<p>Patel`s statement came just hours after the first formal meeting of the Patidar community and the Congress leaders ahead of the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.&quot;I am not with or against anyone (Congress). I need clarity by November 7 on an issue of reservation to our community&quot;, he told the reporters.</p>

<p>The PAAS leader, earlier on Monday, extended the deadline for the Congress Party till November 7 to clear its stand on the Patidar community`s demand for reservation.In a meeting with the Congress, the Patidar leaders listed their demands and the party agreed to four of them, but the demand for Patidar reservation did not reach a final conclusion.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, Patel has remarked that the meeting turned out to be fruitful and the PAAS may meet Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi if the core committee advises so.</p>

<p>Amid the conjectures surrounding the Patidar`s choice of an ally in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly election, Patel clarified that he will never support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and added that there is &quot;no match fixing at all&quot;. Meanwhile, the Congress has said that it will make a decision after consulting the matter with legal experts.</p>

<p>&quot;PAAS has put forward their point, and we will go to a legal expert and then take things forward,&quot; Gujarat State President Bharatsinh Solanki said in a press conference yesterday.</p>

<p>The Patidar leader had earlier said that he will extend support to the Congress if it supports their community and provides reservation.The Congress is counting on Patidar votes to sway the election results of Gujarat polls in their favour and overthrow the BJP, which has been in power since 1995 in the state.</p>

<p>The polls will be conducted in two phases in the state.The polling for the first phase will be held on December 9 and for the second phase on December 14.The counting of the votes will be held on December 18</p>


Patel`s statement came just hours after the first formal meeting of the Patidar community and the Congress leaders ahead of the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel has said that he wants clarity by November 7 on the issue of reservation to his community. Patel`s statement came just hours after the first formal meeting of the Patidar community and the Congress leaders ahead of the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections."I am not with or against anyone (Congress). I need clarity by November 7 on an issue of reservation to our community", he told the reporters. The PAAS leader, earlier on Monday, extended the deadline for the Congress Party till November 7 to clear its stand on the Patidar community`s demand for reservation.In a meeting with the Congress, the Patidar leaders listed their demands and the party agreed to four of them, but the demand for Patidar reservation did not reach a final conclusion. Nevertheless, Patel has remarked that the meeting turned out to be fruitful and the PAAS may meet Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi if the core committee advises so. Amid the conjectures surrounding the Patidar`s choice of an ally in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly election, Patel clarified that he will never support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and added that there is "no match fixing at all". Meanwhile, the Congress has said that it will make a decision after consulting the matter with legal experts. "PAAS has put forward their point, and we will go to a legal expert and then take things forward," Gujarat State President Bharatsinh Solanki said in a press conference yesterday. The Patidar leader had earlier said that he will extend support to the Congress if it supports their community and provides reservation.The Congress is counting on Patidar votes to sway the election results of Gujarat polls in their favour and overthrow the BJP, which has been in power since 1995 in the state. The polls will be conducted in two phases in the state.The polling for the first phase will be held on December 9 and for the second phase on December 14.The counting of the votes will be held on December 18

Hardik Patel wants clarity on Patidar reservation issue by November 7

<p>The Visnagar sessions court in Gujarat has issued a non-bailable warrant against Hardik Patel.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Visnagar Session Court issues arrest warrant against Hardik &amp; Lalji Patel over vandalism in BJP MLA Rishikesh Patel&#39;s Office.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923133277002596352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hardik is accused of vandalising BJP MLA Rishikesh Patel&#39;s office.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Patel&#39;s office had been vandalised during the Patidar rally -- the Patdiars were demanding reservations in government jobs -- in 2015.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Visnagar was one of the nerve-centres of (Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) PAAS-led agitation for reservations for the Patel community in 2016 when the MLA&#39;s car was pelted with stones while passing through ITI Circle in Mehsana&#39;s Visanagar city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The warrant comes a day after the Election Commission announced the election dates for Gujarat Assembly 2017.</p>

<p>Patel has denied the rumours of him joining Congress so far through a CCTV footage leaked a few days ago showed him coming out of the hotel where the Congress party vice-president stayed in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2016, Patel came to the limelight for launching the Patidar quota agitation which had turned violent killing nine people. He was later arrested and exterminated. Earlier this year, he was allowed to return to Gujarat.</p>

<p>Along with two other youth protestors -- OBC icon Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress recently, and Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani -- Patel threatens to spoil the BJP&#39;s chances at the hustings.</p>


Hardik is accused of vandalising BJP MLA Rishikesh Patel's office

The Visnagar sessions court in Gujarat has issued a non-bailable warrant against Hardik Patel. #Gujarat: Visnagar Session Court issues arrest warrant against Hardik & Lalji Patel over vandalism in BJP MLA Rishikesh Patel's Office. — ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2017 × Hardik is accused of vandalising BJP MLA Rishikesh Patel's office. Patel's office had been vandalised during the Patidar rally -- the Patdiars were demanding reservations in government jobs -- in 2015. Visnagar was one of the nerve-centres of (Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) PAAS-led agitation for reservations for the Patel community in 2016 when the MLA's car was pelted with stones while passing through ITI Circle in Mehsana's Visanagar city. The warrant comes a day after the Election Commission announced the election dates for Gujarat Assembly 2017. Patel has denied the rumours of him joining Congress so far through a CCTV footage leaked a few days ago showed him coming out of the hotel where the Congress party vice-president stayed in Ahmedabad. In 2016, Patel came to the limelight for launching the Patidar quota agitation which had turned violent killing nine people. He was later arrested and exterminated. Earlier this year, he was allowed to return to Gujarat. Along with two other youth protestors -- OBC icon Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress recently, and Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani -- Patel threatens to spoil the BJP's chances at the hustings.

Gujarat: Non-bailable warrant issued against Hardik Patel

<p>The Congress on Sunday invited Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani to meet party vice-president Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the state on Monday ahead of the assembly polls.</p>

<p>Gandhi will take part in &#39;Navsarjan Gujarat Janadesh&rsquo; rally organised by the party in Gandhinagar where OBC leader Alpesh Thakor will join the Congress.</p>

<p>Congress&#39;s invite to Hardik Patel and Mevani comes a day after its state unit president Bharatsinh Solanki extended open invitation to Patel, Mevani and Thakor to join the party to ensure the ruling BJP&#39;s defeat.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul Gandhi will be coming to Ahmedabad tomorrow. We have invited Hardik Patel and other leaders of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti. They had given a memorandum to us and we are positive about their demands,&quot; Solanki said on Sunday.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul-ji will hold a meeting with them before the rally and discuss all the issues and will invite them to support the Congress,&quot; Solanki said.</p>

<p>&quot;We have separately invited Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and others after the rally; Rahul-ji will meet them and discuss their issues,&quot; Solanki said.</p>

<p>Thakor, the leader of OBC Ekta Manch, will join the Congress with his associates at the rally, Solanki said.</p>

<p>Gandhi is also likely to meet Chotu Vasava, the leader of Janata Dal (U) in Gujarat, during his one-day visit.</p>

<p>Thakor met Gandhi in Delhi yesterday and later announced that he would soon join the party.</p>

<p>The Congress, which is out of power in Gujarat for 22 years, is wooing leaders such as Hardik Patel, Mevani and Thakor who have significant support base in their respective communities.</p>


The Congress on Sunday invited Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani to meet party vice-president Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the state on Monday ahead of the assembly polls.

The Congress on Sunday invited Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani to meet party vice-president Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the state on Monday ahead of the assembly polls. Gandhi will take part in 'Navsarjan Gujarat Janadesh’ rally organised by the party in Gandhinagar where OBC leader Alpesh Thakor will join the Congress. Congress's invite to Hardik Patel and Mevani comes a day after its state unit president Bharatsinh Solanki extended open invitation to Patel, Mevani and Thakor to join the party to ensure the ruling BJP's defeat. "Rahul Gandhi will be coming to Ahmedabad tomorrow. We have invited Hardik Patel and other leaders of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti. They had given a memorandum to us and we are positive about their demands," Solanki said on Sunday. "Rahul-ji will hold a meeting with them before the rally and discuss all the issues and will invite them to support the Congress," Solanki said. "We have separately invited Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and others after the rally; Rahul-ji will meet them and discuss their issues," Solanki said. Thakor, the leader of OBC Ekta Manch, will join the Congress with his associates at the rally, Solanki said. Gandhi is also likely to meet Chotu Vasava, the leader of Janata Dal (U) in Gujarat, during his one-day visit. Thakor met Gandhi in Delhi yesterday and later announced that he would soon join the party. The Congress, which is out of power in Gujarat for 22 years, is wooing leaders such as Hardik Patel, Mevani and Thakor who have significant support base in their respective communities.

OBC leader Alpesh Thakor to join Congress at Rahul Gandhi rally; Hardik Patel invited too

<p>Two days after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patels-close-aides-join-bjp-22716" target="_blank">Reshma Patel and Varun Patel, close aides of Hardik Patel from the Patidar community joined Bhartiya Janata Party</a>, Patidar leader Narendra Patel has accused BJP of bribing him to join their party.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Narendra Patel said he was offered Rs 1 crore to join the BJP in Gujarat. He added&nbsp;that he has already received Rs 10 lakh in advance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was offered Rs 1 crore to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. I have already been given Rs 10 lakh advance: Narendra Patel, Patidar leader <a href="https://t.co/NZUN1NibQp">pic.twitter.com/NZUN1NibQp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922280488735141888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Patel further said that he does not want the money. He joined the protest for the Patidar community and not for any&nbsp;political ambitions.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Yeh paisa mujhe nahi chahiye,main sirf Patidar samaj ke liye andolan mein aya hun, mein rajkiye apeksha ke liye nahi aya hun: Narendra Patel <a href="https://t.co/vRds1AqJak">pic.twitter.com/vRds1AqJak</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922282157229215745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;He said that he will return the sum of Rs 10 lakh as it is not earned from hard work, it is the result of corruption.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Jo Rs 10 lakh koi mehnat ka paisa nahi hai, bhrashtachar ka paisa hai, main Mehsana ka shaheed hun mein, paisa wapas karunga:Narendra Patel <a href="https://t.co/4HtoWb0pq8">pic.twitter.com/4HtoWb0pq8</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922282744255619074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He clarified that Varun Patel took him to a meeting where it was discussed that he will be given Rs 1 crore. He received the amount of Rs 10 lakhs from Varun Patel.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Varun&nbsp;and Reshma Patel&nbsp;joined BHP ahead of the assembly elections in the state. The leaders justified their alliance with the party by saying that BJP has assented to their demands and will assist them in their fight for the Patidars.</p>

<p>Responding to the allegations put by Narendra, Varun said the Patidar community is again coming together with the BJP for their benefits, he also joined the party for the same. Varun blamed the Congress party for creating controversies.</p>

<p>He also added that Narendra should have conducted the press conference after taking Rs 1 crore, why did he call the press conference after taking 10 lakhs?</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">10 lakh leke press ki, unhe to 1 crore leke press karni chahiye thi. Kyun 10 lakh leke ki?:Varun Patel, BJP on Narendra Patel&#39;s allegations <a href="https://t.co/lW2noVVk2E">pic.twitter.com/lW2noVVk2E</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922295778906849280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Patidar samaaj phir se BJP ki aur jud raha hai, hitt ke liye main bhi juda. Congress party ye saare khel kar rhi hai: Varun Patel,BJP <a href="https://t.co/GTSMIq7PX2">pic.twitter.com/GTSMIq7PX2</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922295956627890176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karenge jo karna hai, jo action lena hai lenge: Varun Patel,BJP on Narendra Patel&#39;s allegation of being offered Rs. 1 crore to join BJP</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922296625698971648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Recently, Gujarat OBC leader Alpesh Thakur also joined Congress.</p>

<p>He assured that Hardik Patel&nbsp;will be working with the Congress to defeat BJP.</p>


He clarified that Varun Patel took him to a meeting where it was discussed that he will be given Rs 1 crore. He received the amount of Rs 10 lakhs from Varun Patel.

Two days after Reshma Patel and Varun Patel, close aides of Hardik Patel from the Patidar community joined Bhartiya Janata Party, Patidar leader Narendra Patel has accused BJP of bribing him to join their party. Narendra Patel said he was offered Rs 1 crore to join the BJP in Gujarat. He added that he has already received Rs 10 lakh in advance. I was offered Rs 1 crore to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. I have already been given Rs 10 lakh advance: Narendra Patel, Patidar leader pic.twitter.com/NZUN1NibQp — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × Patel further said that he does not want the money. He joined the protest for the Patidar community and not for any political ambitions. Yeh paisa mujhe nahi chahiye,main sirf Patidar samaj ke liye andolan mein aya hun, mein rajkiye apeksha ke liye nahi aya hun: Narendra Patel pic.twitter.com/vRds1AqJak — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × He said that he will return the sum of Rs 10 lakh as it is not earned from hard work, it is the result of corruption. Jo Rs 10 lakh koi mehnat ka paisa nahi hai, bhrashtachar ka paisa hai, main Mehsana ka shaheed hun mein, paisa wapas karunga:Narendra Patel pic.twitter.com/4HtoWb0pq8 — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × He clarified that Varun Patel took him to a meeting where it was discussed that he will be given Rs 1 crore. He received the amount of Rs 10 lakhs from Varun Patel. Varun and Reshma Patel joined BHP ahead of the assembly elections in the state. The leaders justified their alliance with the party by saying that BJP has assented to their demands and will assist them in their fight for the Patidars. Responding to the allegations put by Narendra, Varun said the Patidar community is again coming together with the BJP for their benefits, he also joined the party for the same. Varun blamed the Congress party for creating controversies. He also added that Narendra should have conducted the press conference after taking Rs 1 crore, why did he call the press conference after taking 10 lakhs? 10 lakh leke press ki, unhe to 1 crore leke press karni chahiye thi. Kyun 10 lakh leke ki?:Varun Patel, BJP on Narendra Patel's allegations pic.twitter.com/lW2noVVk2E — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × Patidar samaaj phir se BJP ki aur jud raha hai, hitt ke liye main bhi juda. Congress party ye saare khel kar rhi hai: Varun Patel,BJP pic.twitter.com/GTSMIq7PX2 — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × Karenge jo karna hai, jo action lena hai lenge: Varun Patel,BJP on Narendra Patel's allegation of being offered Rs. 1 crore to join BJP — ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2017 × Recently, Gujarat OBC leader Alpesh Thakur also joined Congress. He assured that Hardik Patel will be working with the Congress to defeat BJP.

Patidar leader claims BJP offered him Rs 1 crore to join their party

<p>Undoubtedly, by not announcing the electoral scheme for Gujarat, Election Commission of India got derailed from its conventional path. Many doubted the fairness of this constitutional body. The reasons were located in the avoidance of model code of conduct that may have come in the way of possible announcements of policy dividends by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at Gujarat Gaurav Mahasammelan scheduled on 16th October 2017 in Gandhinagar.</p>

<p>But against this proposition, Narendra Modi has relied more on symbolism than substance. There were forms and styles of immediate or non-mediated politics than actual dividends. Also, there was nothing exotic about his recent address in this poll-bound state. We have merely got the sense of his anxiety over the possible waning of his aura and shifting social constituencies from the fold of BJP.</p>

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<h5>BJP was highlighted more as a regional force representing Gujarati pride and Gujarati&rsquo;s sub-nationalism.</h5>
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<p>In his address, there were allegations, appeasement, glorification and realisations. The BJP&rsquo;s anti-Congress position was unduly hyped. Pasts were invoked to demean Congress, particularly in relation to its treatment of Gujarat and Gujarat&rsquo;s leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, Madhavsinha Solanki and, finally, Narendra Modi himself. Indeed, there seems to be an emerging realisation of his party&rsquo;s failure in delivering economic comfort to the people through demonetisation and GST as the complicity of other parties were highlighted in GST&rsquo;s implementation.</p>

<p>In a more ironic ways, Narendra Modi has revived the memories of 2002 Gujarat riots in a subtle reference to the Congress&rsquo; conspiracies to victimise him. BJP was highlighted more as a regional force representing Gujarati pride and Gujarati&rsquo;s sub-nationalism. Most significantly, OBCs, Dalits, Tribals and farmers were appeased by highlighting their numerical representation in BJP.</p>

<p>Be that as it may, the speech of Narendra Modi lends support to the following emerging realities in Gujarat. First, unlike the assembly elections since the mid-1990s, the 2017 elections for 182 Assembly seats is not a cake walk for BJP. It has become competitive with the refashioning of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress to fight the Gujarat elections on all fronts, including social media.</p>

<p>Second, there is a growing realisation among BJP members about the possible disillusionment of a sizable number of voters with the party&rsquo;s two-decade-old regime.</p>

<p>Third, the repeated Gujarat model of development is losing appeal among the marginalised sections of Gujarat. Fourth, there is an &lsquo;invisible discontent in making&rsquo; over the poorly designed economic policies like GST and demonetisation. In view of these developments, it should perhaps hardly be surprising if BJP loses its substantial assembly seats and vote share in the forthcoming elections.</p>

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<h5>Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism.</h5>
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<p>The 2017 Gujarat Assembly election is different in multiple senses. First, it will act as a prelude to the BJP&rsquo;s performance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections the way 2012 did for 2014 Lok Sabha. The expansive tide of Narendra Modi&rsquo;s charisma will receive a severe jolt in 2019 if BJP performs even reasonably poor in the home state of the Prime Minister. It must be noted that Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism.</p>

<p>Second, in the absence of Narendra Modi as the chief ministerial candidate, 2017 Assembly election is going to be the first election after 2001 when Gujarat will be facing the crisis of a credible chief ministerial face. It is reminding a situation of the 1990s when Gujarat experienced the rotation of chief ministerial candidates due to high factionalism within the party, such as Keshubhai Patel (March 1995 to Oct 1995), Sureshchandra Mehta (Oct 1995 to Sept 1996) and Narendra Modi (2001-14). Similar situations prevail&nbsp;now when we noticed the rotation of CMs from Anandiben Patel (May 2014-August 2016) to Vijay Rupani (August 2016 to present). Gujarat is missing the management of Modi who became chief minister of Gujarat in 2001 and led the party to election victories in 2002, 2007 and 2012.</p>

<p>Third, there are strong oppositions to BJP from non-Congress forces like Alpesh Thakor (convenor of Kshatriya Thakor Sena), Hardik Patel (convenor of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) and Jignesh Mewani (convenor of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch). Third, with the exit of Shankarsinh Vaghela, Congress is no more as factionalised as it was in early days. Fourth, BJP is experiencing the loss of morale with the reporting of The Wire on Amit Shah&rsquo;s son and the entry of Sukhram in the party.</p>

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<h5>Despite all odds and the changing dynamics of Gujarat, BJP is well placed in the state in the 14th Assembly elections as well.</h5>
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<p>Despite all odds and the changing dynamics of Gujarat, BJP is well placed in the state in the 14th Assembly elections as well. BJP&rsquo;s performance steadily improved from 27 per cent of the vote in 1990 to 50 per cent in 2002. However, the party registered the marginal decline in terms of vote share from 49 per cent in 2007 to 48 per cent in 2012. It has gained Assembly seats from 121 in 1995 to 117 in 1998 and gained highest ever of 127 in 2002 but again a slight decline took place from 2007 as it got 117 seats and 116 in 2012.</p>

<p>What makes Gujarat a stronghold of BJP over the last two decades? There are many reasons. First, Gujarat has never been the subject of lower caste movements and, thus, no challenge is being offered to BJP from this section of the society. Second, Muslims strategically failed to articulate their political voice. Third, there is a near absence of Adivasi movements or struggles for demanding a share in forest resources and land rights. Fourth, farmer&rsquo;s movement has already been co-opted by the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh of RSS. Fifth, there is a minimal caste and factional division within the BJP in the state. Sixth, the political mobilisations in Gujarat have always been steered by the higher and dominant castes like Mahagujrat movement for the creation of Gujarat, Nav Nirman movement against corruption, anti-reservation protests, and, finally, Ayodhya movement.</p>

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<h5>In India and particularly Gujarat, the cultural emotions rather reason played a powerful role in directing the voting behaviour of the people.</h5>
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<p>Above all, BJP in Gujarat remained highly cohesive, centralised and ideologically committed and strongly supported by the RSS. It would be difficult to challenge the party&rsquo;s strong ties to local administrators and network of civil society organisations, including industrial groups, caste associations and religious organisations. BJP is no longer an urban-centric party rather it penetrated heavily in rural areas using RSS&rsquo;s Bhartiya Kisan Sangh. BJP has made significant gains among two large OBCs, the Kshatriyas and Kolis since 2012. But it remains to be seen whether Hardik Patel&rsquo;s claim that BJP discriminated against the Patidars become popular election issue or not.</p>

<p>Will BJP be the subject or victim of tribal anger? No ways.</p>

<p>As it appears, Congress will lose significantly the tribal votes as BJP has made a successful dent in the Adivasi areas using its affiliate organisations and their programmes like VHP&rsquo;s Ekal Vidyalayas, RSS&rsquo;s Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram as well as policy dividends like Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna and Vanvasi Kalyan Yojna. The service network of RSS is unmatched as the organisation often indulged in relief camps and distribution of food grain, medicines and clothes to tribals.</p>

<p>Whatever may be, in India and particularly Gujarat, the cultural emotions rather reason played a powerful role in directing the voting behaviour of the people. It is because cultural attachments are easily generated and profoundly felt. We have always witnessed the moments when the miseries of poor economics are forgotten while making political choices. It can be seen in the caste and communal prejudices that are endemic in our society as is the narrow forms of nationalism. It is more manifest when elections are due. Certainly, Gujarat is also going to face the old forms of stereotypes and political mobilisation that can lead to seeing the pluralism as evil in a very schizophrenic fashion and polarisation as the only game plan.</p>


Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism.

Undoubtedly, by not announcing the electoral scheme for Gujarat, Election Commission of India got derailed from its conventional path. Many doubted the fairness of this constitutional body. The reasons were located in the avoidance of model code of conduct that may have come in the way of possible announcements of policy dividends by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at Gujarat Gaurav Mahasammelan scheduled on 16th October 2017 in Gandhinagar. But against this proposition, Narendra Modi has relied more on symbolism than substance. There were forms and styles of immediate or non-mediated politics than actual dividends. Also, there was nothing exotic about his recent address in this poll-bound state. We have merely got the sense of his anxiety over the possible waning of his aura and shifting social constituencies from the fold of BJP. BJP was highlighted more as a regional force representing Gujarati pride and Gujarati’s sub-nationalism. × In his address, there were allegations, appeasement, glorification and realisations. The BJP’s anti-Congress position was unduly hyped. Pasts were invoked to demean Congress, particularly in relation to its treatment of Gujarat and Gujarat’s leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, Madhavsinha Solanki and, finally, Narendra Modi himself. Indeed, there seems to be an emerging realisation of his party’s failure in delivering economic comfort to the people through demonetisation and GST as the complicity of other parties were highlighted in GST’s implementation. In a more ironic ways, Narendra Modi has revived the memories of 2002 Gujarat riots in a subtle reference to the Congress’ conspiracies to victimise him. BJP was highlighted more as a regional force representing Gujarati pride and Gujarati’s sub-nationalism. Most significantly, OBCs, Dalits, Tribals and farmers were appeased by highlighting their numerical representation in BJP. Be that as it may, the speech of Narendra Modi lends support to the following emerging realities in Gujarat. First, unlike the assembly elections since the mid-1990s, the 2017 elections for 182 Assembly seats is not a cake walk for BJP. It has become competitive with the refashioning of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress to fight the Gujarat elections on all fronts, including social media. Second, there is a growing realisation among BJP members about the possible disillusionment of a sizable number of voters with the party’s two-decade-old regime. Third, the repeated Gujarat model of development is losing appeal among the marginalised sections of Gujarat. Fourth, there is an ‘invisible discontent in making’ over the poorly designed economic policies like GST and demonetisation. In view of these developments, it should perhaps hardly be surprising if BJP loses its substantial assembly seats and vote share in the forthcoming elections. Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism. × The 2017 Gujarat Assembly election is different in multiple senses. First, it will act as a prelude to the BJP’s performance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections the way 2012 did for 2014 Lok Sabha. The expansive tide of Narendra Modi’s charisma will receive a severe jolt in 2019 if BJP performs even reasonably poor in the home state of the Prime Minister. It must be noted that Gujarat has always worked for BJP as a laboratory for the unique convergence of neo-liberal policies, Hindutva nationalism and regional sub-nationalism. Second, in the absence of Narendra Modi as the chief ministerial candidate, 2017 Assembly election is going to be the first election after 2001 when Gujarat will be facing the crisis of a credible chief ministerial face. It is reminding a situation of the 1990s when Gujarat experienced the rotation of chief ministerial candidates due to high factionalism within the party, such as Keshubhai Patel (March 1995 to Oct 1995), Sureshchandra Mehta (Oct 1995 to Sept 1996) and Narendra Modi (2001-14). Similar situations prevail now when we noticed the rotation of CMs from Anandiben Patel (May 2014-August 2016) to Vijay Rupani (August 2016 to present). Gujarat is missing the management of Modi who became chief minister of Gujarat in 2001 and led the party to election victories in 2002, 2007 and 2012. Third, there are strong oppositions to BJP from non-Congress forces like Alpesh Thakor (convenor of Kshatriya Thakor Sena), Hardik Patel (convenor of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) and Jignesh Mewani (convenor of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch). Third, with the exit of Shankarsinh Vaghela, Congress is no more as factionalised as it was in early days. Fourth, BJP is experiencing the loss of morale with the reporting of The Wire on Amit Shah’s son and the entry of Sukhram in the party. Despite all odds and the changing dynamics of Gujarat, BJP is well placed in the state in the 14th Assembly elections as well. × Despite all odds and the changing dynamics of Gujarat, BJP is well placed in the state in the 14th Assembly elections as well. BJP’s performance steadily improved from 27 per cent of the vote in 1990 to 50 per cent in 2002. However, the party registered the marginal decline in terms of vote share from 49 per cent in 2007 to 48 per cent in 2012. It has gained Assembly seats from 121 in 1995 to 117 in 1998 and gained highest ever of 127 in 2002 but again a slight decline took place from 2007 as it got 117 seats and 116 in 2012. What makes Gujarat a stronghold of BJP over the last two decades? There are many reasons. First, Gujarat has never been the subject of lower caste movements and, thus, no challenge is being offered to BJP from this section of the society. Second, Muslims strategically failed to articulate their political voice. Third, there is a near absence of Adivasi movements or struggles for demanding a share in forest resources and land rights. Fourth, farmer’s movement has already been co-opted by the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh of RSS. Fifth, there is a minimal caste and factional division within the BJP in the state. Sixth, the political mobilisations in Gujarat have always been steered by the higher and dominant castes like Mahagujrat movement for the creation of Gujarat, Nav Nirman movement against corruption, anti-reservation protests, and, finally, Ayodhya movement. In India and particularly Gujarat, the cultural emotions rather reason played a powerful role in directing the voting behaviour of the people. × Above all, BJP in Gujarat remained highly cohesive, centralised and ideologically committed and strongly supported by the RSS. It would be difficult to challenge the party’s strong ties to local administrators and network of civil society organisations, including industrial groups, caste associations and religious organisations. BJP is no longer an urban-centric party rather it penetrated heavily in rural areas using RSS’s Bhartiya Kisan Sangh. BJP has made significant gains among two large OBCs, the Kshatriyas and Kolis since 2012. But it remains to be seen whether Hardik Patel’s claim that BJP discriminated against the Patidars become popular election issue or not. Will BJP be the subject or victim of tribal anger? No ways. As it appears, Congress will lose significantly the tribal votes as BJP has made a successful dent in the Adivasi areas using its affiliate organisations and their programmes like VHP’s Ekal Vidyalayas, RSS’s Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram as well as policy dividends like Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna and Vanvasi Kalyan Yojna. The service network of RSS is unmatched as the organisation often indulged in relief camps and distribution of food grain, medicines and clothes to tribals. Whatever may be, in India and particularly Gujarat, the cultural emotions rather reason played a powerful role in directing the voting behaviour of the people. It is because cultural attachments are easily generated and profoundly felt. We have always witnessed the moments when the miseries of poor economics are forgotten while making political choices. It can be seen in the caste and communal prejudices that are endemic in our society as is the narrow forms of nationalism. It is more manifest when elections are due. Certainly, Gujarat is also going to face the old forms of stereotypes and political mobilisation that can lead to seeing the pluralism as evil in a very schizophrenic fashion and polarisation as the only game plan.

Pluralism vs polarisation: BJP's plan to win Gujarat

<p>Two leaders from the Patidar community in Gujarat, Reshma Patel, and Varun Patel have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p>

<p>The leaders&nbsp;were&nbsp;staunch&nbsp;critics of the party during the 2015&nbsp;Patidar agitation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reshma Patel said the BJP had accepted&nbsp;three of their demands. She&nbsp;added that they had not been fighting for the victory of the Congress party. Instead, their fight was to bring justice to&nbsp;society.</p>

<p>She also said that the BJP had always supported the community and accepted a majority of their demands while the Congress was only trying to reap benefits from the Patidar&nbsp;vote bank, PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Humari ladai samaj ko nyay dilaane ki thi na ki Congress ko jitane ki. BJP ne humari teen maangen accept kari: Reshma Patel, Patidar leader <a href="https://t.co/peKDyPUi4V">pic.twitter.com/peKDyPUi4V</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/921786463850708992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Varun Patel said that they have spoken to the government and the chief minister about their demands, and &quot;they have committed to fulfill&nbsp;them.&quot;</p>

<p>He also said that they do not want to become Congress agents. He further added that while the state government led by BJP held talks with them and tried resolving various issues, the Congress never held&nbsp;talks with them, PTI said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We spoke to the government &amp; CM over our demands, they have committed to fulfill them: Varun Patel, Patidar leader who joined BJP <a href="https://t.co/jaJ4SFMF6N">pic.twitter.com/jaJ4SFMF6N</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/921784751857451008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hardik Patel, who led the Patidar agitation responded to the alliance of his close aides with the BJP by saying that &quot; Centipede will run even after breaking its legs. I have the support of the people. I will fight till I have this support.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">???????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ??????? !! ????? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ????? ?????? !!</p>
&mdash; Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardikPatel_/status/921763078835863552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A day before,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-invites-hardik-patel-to-contest-gujarat-elections-22699" target="_blank">Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki invited Hardik Patel, OBC leader Alpesh Thakur and Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani</a> to contest assembly elections from&nbsp;Congress tickets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Alpesh Thakur joined the party assuring that Hardik will be working with the Congress to defeat BJP.</p>

<p>Solanki even promised to give an additional 20 per cent reservation to economically backward classes in the state if the Congress is voted to power in the upcoming assembly elections PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Two leaders from the Patidar community in Gujarat, Reshma Patel, and Varun Patel have joined the BJP

Two leaders from the Patidar community in Gujarat, Reshma Patel, and Varun Patel have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The leaders were staunch critics of the party during the 2015 Patidar agitation. Reshma Patel said the BJP had accepted three of their demands. She added that they had not been fighting for the victory of the Congress party. Instead, their fight was to bring justice to society. She also said that the BJP had always supported the community and accepted a majority of their demands while the Congress was only trying to reap benefits from the Patidar vote bank, PTI reported. Humari ladai samaj ko nyay dilaane ki thi na ki Congress ko jitane ki. BJP ne humari teen maangen accept kari: Reshma Patel, Patidar leader pic.twitter.com/peKDyPUi4V — ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2017 × Varun Patel said that they have spoken to the government and the chief minister about their demands, and "they have committed to fulfill them." He also said that they do not want to become Congress agents. He further added that while the state government led by BJP held talks with them and tried resolving various issues, the Congress never held talks with them, PTI said. We spoke to the government & CM over our demands, they have committed to fulfill them: Varun Patel, Patidar leader who joined BJP pic.twitter.com/jaJ4SFMF6N — ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2017 × Hardik Patel, who led the Patidar agitation responded to the alliance of his close aides with the BJP by saying that " Centipede will run even after breaking its legs. I have the support of the people. I will fight till I have this support. ???????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ??????? !! ????? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ????? ?????? !! — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) October 21, 2017 × A day before, Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki invited Hardik Patel, OBC leader Alpesh Thakur and Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani to contest assembly elections from Congress tickets. Alpesh Thakur joined the party assuring that Hardik will be working with the Congress to defeat BJP. Solanki even promised to give an additional 20 per cent reservation to economically backward classes in the state if the Congress is voted to power in the upcoming assembly elections PTI reported.

Hardik Patel's close aides join BJP

<p>Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Bharat Solanki invited Hardik Patel Saturday to contest the Gujarat elections.</p>

<p>&quot;If Hardik Patel wants to contest election, then Congress invites him to do so,&quot; ANI reported Solanki as saying.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If Hardik Patel wants to contest election, then Congress invites him to do so: Bharat Solanki, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> Pradesh Congress Committee President <a href="https://t.co/R424kmSQRS">pic.twitter.com/R424kmSQRS</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/921661593854685184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Patel turned down the offer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Constitutionally speaking, I can&#39;t contest election and I don&#39;t need to, in the first place,&quot; he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Constitutionally speaking, I can&#39;t contest election and I don&#39;t need to, in the first place: Hardik Patel <a href="https://t.co/NvlACG0xzI">pic.twitter.com/NvlACG0xzI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/921664662776590336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Patel is 24. You have to be at least 25 to contest an election to Parliament or the state assemblies in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Although I believe we must unite against BJP, this isn&#39;t a BJP-Congress election but of 6 crore people of Gujarat,&quot; Patel added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Although I believe we must unite against BJP, this isn&#39;t a BJP-Congress election but of 6 crore people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Hardik Patel <a href="https://t.co/TWmDXjjbHC">pic.twitter.com/TWmDXjjbHC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/921665074497851394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Patel had shot into the spotlight after leading the Patidar agitation in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Patidars were demanding reservation in government jobs.&nbsp;</p>


'If Hardik Patel wants to contest election, then Congress invites him to do so,' Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Bharat Solanki

Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Bharat Solanki invited Hardik Patel Saturday to contest the Gujarat elections. "If Hardik Patel wants to contest election, then Congress invites him to do so," ANI reported Solanki as saying. If Hardik Patel wants to contest election, then Congress invites him to do so: Bharat Solanki, #Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President pic.twitter.com/R424kmSQRS — ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2017 × Patel turned down the offer. "Constitutionally speaking, I can't contest election and I don't need to, in the first place," he said. Constitutionally speaking, I can't contest election and I don't need to, in the first place: Hardik Patel pic.twitter.com/NvlACG0xzI — ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2017 × Patel is 24. You have to be at least 25 to contest an election to Parliament or the state assemblies in India. "Although I believe we must unite against BJP, this isn't a BJP-Congress election but of 6 crore people of Gujarat," Patel added. Although I believe we must unite against BJP, this isn't a BJP-Congress election but of 6 crore people of #Gujarat: Hardik Patel pic.twitter.com/TWmDXjjbHC — ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2017 × Patel had shot into the spotlight after leading the Patidar agitation in Gujarat. The Patidars were demanding reservation in government jobs.

Congress invites Hardik Patel to contest Gujarat elections

<p>There was massive chaos at a programme attended by India&#39;s ruling party BJP President Amit Shah in Surat, Gujarat, on Thursday.<br />
<br />
Supporters of&nbsp;Hardik Patel, the face of Patidar reservation protests, damaged&nbsp;furniture and booed&nbsp;speakers including the BJP president. They also repeatedly chanted Patel&#39;s name to demonstrate their support for him.<br />
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Chaos prevailed outside the venue as well as in Mota Varraccha area&nbsp;where Patidar community members from the locality hurled stones at the police.<br />
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?The function was wound up hastily within minutes, with Patel leaders cutting short their speeches while Shah spoke only for four minutes amid&nbsp;sloganeering.<br />
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The event was organised by prominent Patel businessmen in Surat to felicitate BJP leaders of their community in the presence of party chief Amit Shah.<br />
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BJP, which is struggling hard to regain the support of numerically strong Patidars in Gujarat after the community led by Patel launched the quota agitation, made this event a prestige issue.<br />
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City-based prominent businessmen formed a group called &#39;Patidar Abhivadan Samiti&#39;&nbsp;to honour new state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, Gujarat&#39;s deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and senior&nbsp;ministers of Patel community.<br />
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&quot;This felicitation of Patidar leaders is for the community, is for the state and is for the nation,&quot; said full page advertisements given in vernacular newspapers across the state by the organisation.&nbsp;<br />
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The Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) had earlier made its intention clear that it is going to oppose the felicitation programme. But few would have guessed that things would go out of control there.<br />
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(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


Amit Shah's speech was curtailed amid vociferous sloganeering by supporters of Hardik Patel, the leader of a reservation agitation in India

There was massive chaos at a programme attended by India's ruling party BJP President Amit Shah in Surat, Gujarat, on Thursday. Supporters of Hardik Patel, the face of Patidar reservation protests, damaged furniture and booed speakers including the BJP president. They also repeatedly chanted Patel's name to demonstrate their support for him. Chaos prevailed outside the venue as well as in Mota Varraccha area where Patidar community members from the locality hurled stones at the police. ?The function was wound up hastily within minutes, with Patel leaders cutting short their speeches while Shah spoke only for four minutes amid sloganeering. The event was organised by prominent Patel businessmen in Surat to felicitate BJP leaders of their community in the presence of party chief Amit Shah. BJP, which is struggling hard to regain the support of numerically strong Patidars in Gujarat after the community led by Patel launched the quota agitation, made this event a prestige issue. City-based prominent businessmen formed a group called 'Patidar Abhivadan Samiti' to honour new state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, Gujarat's deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and senior ministers of Patel community. "This felicitation of Patidar leaders is for the community, is for the state and is for the nation," said full page advertisements given in vernacular newspapers across the state by the organisation. The Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) had earlier made its intention clear that it is going to oppose the felicitation programme. But few would have guessed that things would go out of control there. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Vandalism, boos mar event attended by India's ruling party president

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