Patel quota: Hardik Patel gives Congress Nov 7 deadline

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel on Monday set a fresh deadline to the Congress, asking it to make its stand clear by Novemeber 7 to clear its stand on the Patidar community's demand for quota.

Hardik also said that the party has accepted four of the five conditions put forward by him, according to media reports.

However, Congress leader Bharatsinh Solanki said that it is a technical issue, and a decision will be taken after it takes legal advice.

Addressing a press conference State Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki rejected BJP charges that today's meeting was a fixed match between Congress and Hardik Patel. If this was a fixed match it would not last for so long time.

Patidar leaders put forward their point, we'll go to legal expert and then take things forward," said Congress leader Bharatsinh Solanki, he said.

Here are the four demands that the Congress agreed to.

All cases filed against Patidar agitators in connection with OBC quota stir including the cases pertaining to sedition and other serious charges will be withdrawn by Congress party if elected to power in Gujarat.

Special Investigation Team(SIT) will be formed to probe into alleged atrocities against Patidar agitators during quota stir. Responsible officers will be appointed to conduct this probe and those found guilty will be given appropriate punishment.

A commission will be formed with constitutional status and Rs 2,000 crore fund allocated to it for education, skill development and self employment to unreserved segment of society including Patidars community.

If elected to power, the Congress government in Gujarat will extend Rs 35 lakh financial assistance to family of those who died in the course of Patidar quota stir. This assistance will be given not just to Patidar community victims, but to all victims who died in violence during agitation. Moreover one dependent of each victim will be given government job as per his/her eligibility.

Hardik has put forward a set of demands before the Congress as a pre-condition for extending support to the party in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls.

The Congress has so far maintained that it will offer a 20-per cent reservation to the economically backward classes (EBC), without disturbing the 49 per cent reservation given to the scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and other backward classes (OBC).

The Gujarat Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in two phases - on December 9 and December 14.

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