Even as the campaigning for first phase of Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections comes to an end today, the Congress got yet another setback as as many as ten Patidar bodies, including the politically influential Khodaldham Trust rejected Congress’ reservation formula.
Yesterday, ten Patidar religious trust heads had also rejected Hardik Patel and Congress’ reservation formula. Some media reports suggested that they had extended their support to the BJP:
कल ही पाटीदारो की सभी धार्मिक संस्थाओं ने @HardikPatel_ और @INCGujarat के आरक्षण के फ़ॉर्म्युला को नकारा था। उसमें खोडलधाम का भी समावेश। मतदान से दो दिन पहले सभी संस्थाओं को भाजपा ने साथ लिया। वहीँ हार्दिक ने सभी पाटीदारो को भाजपा को हराने की अपील की।#PatidarPolitics pic.twitter.com/le1bPQfxvk
— Brijesh Doshi (@brijdoshi) December 7, 2017
The Patidar community heads had reached out to senior Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve who advised that the Constitution does not allow more than 50% reservation. In the statement released by the community leaders, they said that reservation is constitutionally not possible and hence it is an attempt to mislead the community by making fake promises. Leaders said that they were not taking any political sides, but were working towards the betterment of the community.
Without naming Hardik Patel, the leaders also said that a self-proclaimed Patidar youth who wants the Patidars to be included in OBC is doing the same for his political gains and warned him not to make statements on behalf of the community. The statement further stated that they do not endorse the thoughts and statements made by these self proclaimed community leaders with ulterior political motives.
Gujarat goes to vote for 89 out of 182 seats in first phase of elections on 9th December, whereas second phase of voting for 93 seats will be held on 14th December. The results of Gujarat elections will be declared along with Himachal Pradesh elections on 18th December.
(with inputs from @dhaval241086)
