If Congress goes back on reservation, I will fight them also: Hardik Patel
, TNN|
Dec 05, 2017, 11.31 AM IST
Hardik Patel, the 24-year-old leader of the Patidar reservation agitation, is being seen by many as the 'X factor' in the Gujarat assembly elections. He is drawing sizeable crowds and taking on the BJP juggernaut. But will the crowds translate into votes remains the big question. TOI's Sagarika Ghose spoke to Hardik on his campaign trail in Surat.
What is your campaign about in these elections?
It's about the janata, about azadi from unemployment, from dadagiri, from atyachaar (atrocities) by the powers that be. It's about adhikar (rights) of the people versus the ahankar (arrogance) of one man. If we lose, the people will lose.
But BJP says this election is about vikas.
What vikas and whose vikas? Ek do bridges se vikas nahin hota hai (Constructing one or two bridges is not development). Go outside the big city, meet farmers and then show me vikas.
Many say your influence is restricted only to a few pockets in cities.
Those who say this have not seen my rallies. Why would thousands come together in small villages to meet me? Their land is being taken away, they are angry.
But isn't it only the young and the jobless who are with you?
Everyone is with me, young and old.
Why does a dominant community like Patels need reservation?
We need what is our right, when my Patel brothers don't get placement in colleges. When they don't get jobs, why will we not ask for reservations? We don't want favour, we want justice. Just because a few Patels are rich means nothing. Majority of the Patels have lost their land and are not being given their due.
How do you see Narendra Modi and Amit Shah?
They are running Gujarat like dictators and have taken the people for granted.
Why have you aligned with Congress?
I haven't aligned with Congress, I have a single point agenda to defeat BJP.
But you are campaigning for Congress.
I am campaigning for Patels and Gujarati pride. I am neither fighting the elections nor seeking votes for a party.
But how can Congress give you reservations, they're not in power?
That we will see after the elections. If they don't give reservations, my fight will continue.
Many of your supporters are joining BJP.
Those who want to go can go, our movement is much bigger and the people are with me.
What about the sex CD? Did it damage you?
In a democracy, nobody has the right to question anyone's private life. People should be free to be themselves in private. It shows BJP's desperation.
What is your campaign about in these elections?
It's about the janata, about azadi from unemployment, from dadagiri, from atyachaar (atrocities) by the powers that be. It's about adhikar (rights) of the people versus the ahankar (arrogance) of one man. If we lose, the people will lose.
But BJP says this election is about vikas.
What vikas and whose vikas? Ek do bridges se vikas nahin hota hai (Constructing one or two bridges is not development). Go outside the big city, meet farmers and then show me vikas.
Many say your influence is restricted only to a few pockets in cities.
Those who say this have not seen my rallies. Why would thousands come together in small villages to meet me? Their land is being taken away, they are angry.
But isn't it only the young and the jobless who are with you?
Everyone is with me, young and old.
Why does a dominant community like Patels need reservation?
We need what is our right, when my Patel brothers don't get placement in colleges. When they don't get jobs, why will we not ask for reservations? We don't want favour, we want justice. Just because a few Patels are rich means nothing. Majority of the Patels have lost their land and are not being given their due.
How do you see Narendra Modi and Amit Shah?
They are running Gujarat like dictators and have taken the people for granted.
Why have you aligned with Congress?
I haven't aligned with Congress, I have a single point agenda to defeat BJP.
But you are campaigning for Congress.
I am campaigning for Patels and Gujarati pride. I am neither fighting the elections nor seeking votes for a party.
But how can Congress give you reservations, they're not in power?
That we will see after the elections. If they don't give reservations, my fight will continue.
Many of your supporters are joining BJP.
Those who want to go can go, our movement is much bigger and the people are with me.
What about the sex CD? Did it damage you?
In a democracy, nobody has the right to question anyone's private life. People should be free to be themselves in private. It shows BJP's desperation.
(This article was originally published in The Times of India)
