Hardik Patel rules out negotiations, says not against quota

Ahmedabad, Aug 26: Hardik Patel, who has galvanised the dominant Patel community in Gujarat on the reservation demand, says his sole objective is the inclusion of Patel community in the OBC category and not the abolition of the quota system but ruled out negotiations on the issue.

The 22-year-old B.Com. graduate, who had brought Ahmedabad to a standstill On Aug 25 with a massive show of support that took a violent turn here and elsewhere in the state, also says the agitation will be intensified till success is achieved.

"Our sole objective is the inclusion of Patel community in the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category. We will not relent till our demand is fulfilled," Patel told PTI in an interview.

"We do not want reservation system to be abolished as it is being talked. We just want OBC quota for Patels," he said when asked about reports quoting him as saying that if Patels are not included the OBC category there should be total removal of the reservation system.

"I am heading towards Delhi to meet the leaders of the Gurjar agitation to take their help to intensify our agitation in Gujarat," Patel said.

To a query whether he wants to take the quota agitation to the national level, Patel said, "This is too early to make any statement. However, time will tell. Let us see."

Patel or Patidars are basically a farming community in Gujarat which is a numerically strong group which has backed the ruling BJP in the state for the last 25 years.

He has warned the BJP that lotus would not bloom in the next Assembly elections if their demand is not met.

PTI