Shiv Sena attacks PM Modi, says, quota row shows real face of Gujarat

Mumbai, Aug 28: Taking a jibe at Anandiben Patel-led BJP government in neighbouring Gujarat, Shiv Sena, BJP's ally in Maharashtra as well as at the Centre, today said that the agitation of Patel community for quota showed that her claims of development were hollow.

"There has been a disturbance in Gujarat politics after Hardik Patel warned that the lotus will not bloom in 2017 elections if Patels' demand (for reservations) was not met. Narendra Modi is known to be a crowd-puller. But today Hardik has become the king of crowds," Sena said in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"The question is how valid their demands are. Patels' status in Gujarat is akin to that of Marathas in Maharashtra. Marathas dominate sectors like agriculture, industries, co-operatives, banks and are leading in the politics too.

In spite of all this, Marathas too want OBC status," it said. The Patel community is financially, politically and socially strong and majority of expatriate Gujaratis are from this community, the Saamana editorial said.

"They are strong in construction, diamond trade and other businesses. If despite all this they have taken to the streets to demand reservations, it only shows that claims of development in Gujarat are false and it seems that people there are not happy," it said.

"Anandiben Patel used to boast that her state is more peaceful, stable and disciplined, so the industrialists in Mumbai should go there. A greenhorn like Hardik has shown that this talk has no base.

The true face of Gujarat has come out and this face needs to change," the Sena said.

PTI