Next round of agitation from Surat on Tuesday, says Hardik Patel

Ahmedabad, Aug 31: The next round of agitation to press for the demand for reservation to Patel community under OBC quota will kick-start tomorrow from Surat, Hardik Patel, who is leading the stir that plunged Gujarat into violence said today.

Hardik, convener of the Patidar Ananmat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), who arrived at the Ahmedabad Airport from Delhi here today claimed that the agitation for reservation has gained support of several communities and rallies would be organised in other parts of country in the coming days.

"We have called a meeting of all our 137 leaders from across the state today evening to chart out the plan for the second round of agitation in the state. We will start the agitation from Surat tomorrow. We will focus more on taluka and village level this time," he said. The second round of agitation will attract the attention of the entire nation, he claimed.

"We will make the official announcement tomorrow about our upcoming programmes and rallies to be held in the state. This time, the entire nation will have its eyes on our programme. We will walk on the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi," Hardik told media persons at the airport.

During the first round of agitation, Hardik and his group had taken out rallies in different parts of the state. Violence had spread after their mega-rally in Ahmedabad on August 25 in which 10 people were killed.

Giving details of his Delhi visit, Hardik said many organisations have extended their support to the ongoing agitation.

PTI