Leading members of the Patidar community in Gujarat were present at Jasdan, Rajkot for the inauguration of an educational centre and memorial of 14 members of the community who had given their lives in the Patidar Agitation of 2017.
Their address at the event offered a glimpse of the potential influence that Patidars can hold on the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.
Emphasising unity as the foundation of the community, Hardik Patel, the working president of the Gujarat Congress, said, “The (Patidar) community is not quite united; there is a need to stand together and get united on social as well as political fronts.”
Patidar Anamat Andolan Sangathan (PAAS) leader Geeta Patel pointed out that malicious cases filed during the Patidar Agitation have not yet been withdrawn. “We had demanded the withdrawal of these false cases when Vijay Rupani was the Chief Minister, and now we have a Chief Minister from our own community. We demand that these be dismissed with immediate effect,” said Patel.
Praising the youth of the community, Naresh Patel, the trustee of the Khodaldham temple said that over the past five years, young members from the community have showcased their strength and capabilities. “Right from the post of a Sarpanch to a Member of Parliament, all the posts shall be held by Patidars,” he said.
“The demand for the withdrawal of the cases against Patidars have been neglected for six years now. Fierce representations will be made to the government. If the demand of such a huge community in the states are not met, that can have a major effect on the upcoming assembly elections,” warned Sardar Patel Group chairman Lalji Patel.
