SURAT: BJP president Amit Shah had to leave Patidar-dominated Abrama near Kapodara here in September 2016 due to stiff opposition by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) activists during a felicitation event of Patidar leaders.
Now, all eyes are on the reception that will be given to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi when he addresses his first public meeting at Jal Kranti Maidan in Patidar-dominated Varachha on Friday, which has seen many protests, poster wars and tensions in the past.
Hardik Patel-led PAAS had threatened to disrupt Rahul Gandhi's public meeting in Varachha asking him to clear his stand on making provision in the Constitution to give reservation to Patidars under other backward class (OBC) category. However, the threat was withdrawn by PAAS on Monday. Hardik Patel emerged as a leader of the community when in 2015 he led the protests in several parts of the state to demand job quotas for the influential community in Gujarat.
On November 1, some Patidars stormed the election campaign office of Varachha BJP MLA Kishore alias Kumar Kanani and demanded its immediate closure, barely two hours after the legislator had opened it. Last month on October 15, Patidars disrupted the inauguration of public utility projects by mayor Ashmita Shiroya in Mota Varachha. A few Patidar leaders, who were shouting 'Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar' and 'Hardik Patel Zindabad' slogans, broke chairs and mandap decoration at the venue. This forced the mayor and other BJP leaders to leave the venue. On May 26, people from Patidar community hurled eggs at BJP leaders during the party's 'Gaurav Vikas Yatra' in Karanj assembly constituency in Varachha. On September 12, two BRTS buses were torched by Patidar youths after police detained a few for allegedly trying to disrupt an event by BJP's youth wing in the city. The incident took place in Patidar-dominated Varaccha locality. The diamond hub of Varachha, Katargam, Kapodara, Mota Varachha and Karanj has a population of 10 lakh Patels.
Rahul's successive visits to Saurashtra, north Gujarat and south Gujarat have helped Congress party to win the confidence of Patidar community along with that of PAAS leader Hardik Patel to a great extent. Congress councillor from Varachha Ashok Jirawala said, "The ground has capacity of more than 50,000 people. If 75,000 people participate in Rahul Gandhi's public meeting, it will mean victory is ours in this assembly elections."
Now, all eyes are on the reception that will be given to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi when he addresses his first public meeting at Jal Kranti Maidan in Patidar-dominated Varachha on Friday, which has seen many protests, poster wars and tensions in the past.
Hardik Patel-led PAAS had threatened to disrupt Rahul Gandhi's public meeting in Varachha asking him to clear his stand on making provision in the Constitution to give reservation to Patidars under other backward class (OBC) category. However, the threat was withdrawn by PAAS on Monday. Hardik Patel emerged as a leader of the community when in 2015 he led the protests in several parts of the state to demand job quotas for the influential community in Gujarat.
On November 1, some Patidars stormed the election campaign office of Varachha BJP MLA Kishore alias Kumar Kanani and demanded its immediate closure, barely two hours after the legislator had opened it. Last month on October 15, Patidars disrupted the inauguration of public utility projects by mayor Ashmita Shiroya in Mota Varachha. A few Patidar leaders, who were shouting 'Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar' and 'Hardik Patel Zindabad' slogans, broke chairs and mandap decoration at the venue. This forced the mayor and other BJP leaders to leave the venue. On May 26, people from Patidar community hurled eggs at BJP leaders during the party's 'Gaurav Vikas Yatra' in Karanj assembly constituency in Varachha. On September 12, two BRTS buses were torched by Patidar youths after police detained a few for allegedly trying to disrupt an event by BJP's youth wing in the city. The incident took place in Patidar-dominated Varaccha locality. The diamond hub of Varachha, Katargam, Kapodara, Mota Varachha and Karanj has a population of 10 lakh Patels.
Rahul's successive visits to Saurashtra, north Gujarat and south Gujarat have helped Congress party to win the confidence of Patidar community along with that of PAAS leader Hardik Patel to a great extent. Congress councillor from Varachha Ashok Jirawala said, "The ground has capacity of more than 50,000 people. If 75,000 people participate in Rahul Gandhi's public meeting, it will mean victory is ours in this assembly elections."
Get latest news & live updates on the go on your pc with News App. Download The Times of India news app for your device.
