BJP won’t come back to power in Gujarat: Patel leader Lalji

Mangalore Today News Network

Gujarat, April 18: Mehsana in Gujarat, the home district of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel, is on the boil again. Lalji Patel (39), who mentored the face of Patidar OBC quota movement leader Hardik Patel, was injured on Sunday during clashes between Patidars and police, prompting community leaders to observe Gujarat bandh on Monday.

Differences in opinions with his meteoritic rise, firebrand Hardik parted ways with parent organisation Sardar Patel Group (SPG) led by Lalji and formed Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

 

Unlike Hardik, Lalji was earlier open to negotiations with the government. But now he also seems to have lost faith in the government. On Sunday, he led the Jail Bharo Andolan in Mehsana demanding immediate release of Hardik and others.

In an exclusive interview to HT from a hospital in Mehsana, this farmer says Patidars – who form around 14% of Gujarat’s six crore population – are disappointed with PM Modi and that the community will vote out the BJP from power in the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections.

 

As Patidars clash with police:arrests, curfew, curbs on Internet

Police claimed they resorted to lathicharge only after some persons started throwing stones at the police vehicles, Lalji Patel alleged that Patel agitators were targeted without any provocation.

Curfew was imposed in Mehsana town of Gujarat and mobile Internet services suspended in Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Surat and Rajkot, after a call to court arrest given by Patidar leaders turned violent.

The Jail Bharo Andolan call was given by the Sardar Patel Group (SPG) led by Lalji Patel, seeking reservation for the community and immediate release of their jailed leaders, including Hardik Patel. Another prominent group fighting for reservations for Patidars, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), had supported it.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Chief Minister Anandiben Patel to take stock of the situation. Sources said she told him about the steps being taken by the government to maintain peace.

The state government has decided to deploy four companies of the Rapid Action Force across the affected cities, and request the Centre for 10 companies of CRPF to deal with any untoward situation.

The Mehsana district authorities had refused permission for the SPG protest. However, the SPG defied the order and gathered for a massive rally, where Lalji Patel addressed them. While they were moving across town to court arrest, the SPG supporters and police clashed with each other.

Five policemen and two officials sustained injuries in the incidents, police said, while the agitators claimed 25 of their supporters were injured in police action. Laji Patel was among those assaulted, receiving head injuries. Sehra claimed he was hit in the stone-pelting.

Several people were arrested in connection with the attacks on government property.

Lalji Patel claimed the SPG men were targeted without any provocation. Talking to PTI, he said, “Our protest was peaceful, as announced earlier. However, police suddenly hit me and some of our members when we were walking ahead of our procession. I was hit on the head.”

The collector said mobile Internet had been banned and curfew imposed for the next 24 hours to control the situation.

Landline broadband Internet services will not be affected by the ban.