Hardik Patel positive on offer to form Patel Commission: BJP MP

Surat: BJP MP Vitthal Radadia on Saturday said the jailed quota agitation leader Hardik Patel was "positive" about the government's offer to form a 'Patel Commission' and will take a final call on arriving at a compromise with the state government.

Hardik was "positive" about the government's offer to form a `Patel Commission' for the community, he said.

In an effort to reach a compromise the BJP leader, himself a prominent Patel leader, today met Hardik at Lajpore Jail in Surat, second time this week.

After the meeting, he claimed Hardik did not reject the government's proposal to form Patel Commission.

"I conveyed to him the government's proposal to form a Patel Commission instead of granting reservation under the OBC quota. This Commission will be given sufficient funds by the government. Funds will be disbursed among needy Patel members to pay fees of their children or donations (at educational institutions)," said Radadia.

"The Commission will look after the Patel community. It will also give loans to Patel students. I told him the Commission is far better than reservation, which will be just 2 to 5 per cent if given," said Radadia.

"Hardik agreed that reservation, even if given, will not benefit the community much. This well-funded Commission will prove more beneficial. Hardik told me he was not against this proposal and will give his feedback after studying it," said Radadia.