Patidars issue ultimatum to Gujarat
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Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) on Wednesday issued an ultimatum to the Gujarat government to clarify its stand on the demands for quota and farm loan waiver for which its leader Hardik Patel has been on a fast for 12 days.
“If the government does not clarify its stand in the next 24 hours, then Hardik will once again give up water,” said Manoj Panara, convener of PAAS, which spearheads the agitation in Gujarat.
PAAS representatives accused the State government of misleading the people and slammed the government’s efforts to scuttle the agitation.
PAAS leaders also targeted the Patidar community’s religious organisations and their trustees, calling them BJP’s agents. “It is for the organisations and their leaders to decide whether to be with the community or with the BJP government,” Mr. Panara said.
From Thursday, PAAS members and volunteers will approach legislators and parliamentarians from the State to ascertain their stand on the issues the PAAS led by 25-year-old Hardik Patel is fighting for.
Meanwhile, the State Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday is likely to discuss Mr. Patel’s demands and his indefinite fast, which is drawing support from leaders across parties.
On Wednesday, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed his support for Hardik Patel. He requested him to continue his fight but end the fast as his health was deteriorating.
A delegation of Congress leaders, consisting of AICC in charge of Gujarat Rajeev Satav, State party president Amit Chavda and leader of the Opposition Paresh Dhanani, met Mr. Patel to offer support.
