OBC demand: Patels hold rally in Surat ahead of show of strength in Ahmedabad

GANDHINAGAR: A big rally of the Patel community was organised at Surat on Monday demanding Patel reservation as the D-day for the ultimate muscle flexing of the Patidar community fast approaches.

The agitators have planned a mega rally at Ahmedabad on August 25, where they intend to bring in as many as 25 lakh members of the community from all over the state in what is being touted as the ultimate show of strength of the community.

Meanwhile former vice chairman of AMUL Diary, Gordhan Patel while addressing a pro-reservation rally of the Patels collapsed and died.

Meanwhile Kshatriya community too have raised demand for inclusion in the OBC category and are now planning to hold similar rally to flex their muscles as well.

The demand of Patidars for inclusion in the OBC list has also stirred up the communities already enlisted in the OBC category who fear any such inclusion would only erode their share and are now gearing up for counter show of strength.

Meanwhile, the seven member committee headed by Gujarat Health Minister Nitin Patel had met a group of Patidar leaders in Gandhinagar including Lalji Patel of Sardar Patel Group and its 11 members. However, interestingly, the government refrained from inviting Hardik Patel the convenor of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) who has emerged as the face of the movement in last more couple of months in Gujarat.

Patel it may be remembered had earlier rejected the committee saying that only a committee headed by the Chief Minister would be acceptable and on Monday said that until the government accepts the demands for reservation the movement will go on. He also reiterated that the members of the community would stage the rally in Ahmedabad as planned before on August 25.