Patels 'bar' BJP candidates' entry in societies in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Nov 10: Intensifying the protest against the ruling BJP ahead of local body polls in Gujarat, Patel quota agitation leaders today "prohibited" the entry of BJP candidates in residential societies in Ghatlodia area here -- the Assembly constituency of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.

Patel leaders have put up banners at the main gates of some 20 housing societies which say "We have imposed section 144 for BJP leaders.

So no BJP leader or candidate should enter the society". Atul Patel, one of the conveners of umbrella body of Patel agitation 'Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti', said the banners were a response to the treatment meted out to the community by the state government during the quota agitation. "This government tried everything to crush our movement.

They even took away our rights to hold meetings in a peaceful manner. To target Patel community, this government imposed section 144 (of CrPC) across Gujarat to stop us from holding meetings," said Patel, after putting up a banner in one of the societies today. These societies have a sizable number of Patel residents. "Now we have imposed section 144 in our societies for all the BJP leaders and candidates.

They will not be allowed to come inside to seek our votes," Patel said. "Our CM is the sitting MLA from Ghatlodia.

To give a stern message to her, we have put up banners in more than 20 societies in that area today." As Hardik Patel, the face of Patel quota agitation, and several other key PAAS conveners are behind the bars on sedition charges, Atul Patel is leading the movement.

Municipal corporations of Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar will go to polls on November 22 while 31 district panchayats, 230 taluka panchayats and 56 municipalities will go to polls on November 29.

PTI