Hardik Patel threatens to expose 'well-propagated' Gujarat model

Gandhinagar: Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel on Saturday questioned the much talked about 'Gujarat Model' of development and said he will "expose the reality behind it."

While making announcements here about the next round of agitations, Hardik, who leads a faction of Patel groups' campaigning to get reservation under OBC quota, cited several examples to prove his point.

"This government claims that farmers are very happy in Gujarat. Then why two farmers committed suicide in last one week? What is the reason that people involved in recruitment rackets are not punished? Why innocent women are beaten up and sent to jail by police? Is this the Gujarat Model?" Hardik said at a press conference.

He alleged that Patels are being subjected to violence by police and the state government delayed the local body polls for its benefit.

"Patels are being singled out by police and mercilessly thrashed. BJP-led Gujarat government brought an ordinance to delay the local body polls, for their benefit. Is this Gujarat Model? What will happen when such a model, for which our PM takes credit all the time, will be implemented across India?" asked Hardik.

The 22-year-old convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) termed the Gujarat model as a "myth" and said he will "expose" the reality behind it.

"When such wrong and misleading notions about Gujarat Model is being spread by our leaders, which is totally against the reality here, we have decided to expose the well-propagated myth," he said.

Hardik, who is also president of Patidar Navnirman Sena (PNS), claimed that the outfit has presence in 16 states and its members will hold various programs across India, including Bihar, to educate their community through public gatherings.

"As of now, more than 56 lakh members have registered with PNS. Not just Bihar, we will organise programs in various parts of country to tell people about the atrocities police have committed on us in Gujarat," he said.

Hardik rejected state government's Rs 1,000 crore package announced recently for the students of economically backward class (EBC) sections of non-reserved category.

"We don't want such package. We want only reservation. If government claims that reservation can't be given as per the present laws, then I want the government to explain to us, under which laws it cannot give us reservation," said Hardik.

Hardik apprised PAAS will organise a maha-panchayat of Patels at Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh tomorrow.

A mega rally is being planned in Rajkot in coming days while many other gatherings and rallies are in the pipeline at various places of Gujarat.