Hardik threatens to sit on indefinite fast to demand Mayor’s resignation

Surat: There was high voltage drama near Takshshila Arcade at Sarthana when Congress leader and former Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel visited the site of fire tragedy with his supporters on Sunday. Some Patidar youths tried to attack Hardik, but cops took them away.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Shankersinh Vaghela, who visited the spot before Hardik, demanded action against those responsible for the tragedy which resulted in loss of lives of 22 people. Dilip Sojitra, a realtor, held a dharna near the building in the morning to demand resignation of Mayor Jagdish Patel and strict action all those responsible. Police forced Sojitra to shift from there because it had created chaos. Once Hardik left the spot, Sojitra returned and sat in front of the building again.
Hardik took a look at the building from outside before addressing the media. “By arresting only the operator of the coaching class, there is an attempt to cover up the investigation. Why the developers of the building and people who approved it are not being arrested?” asked Hardik.
“If such an incident had happened in a school, lives of many more children would have been lost. It requires detailed investigation as to who had given permission to run the coaching class in the building. Negligence on the part of officials belonging to municipal corporation, its fire department and electricity company needs to be investigated,” he said.
“Is this an example of a ‘Smart City’ where the ladder of firefighters could not reach the fourth floor of the building to rescue the trapped students?” Hardik asked. “If no action is taken against the mayor and responsible government officials, I will start an indefinite fast outside the municipal headquarters,” he said, demanding the resignation of the Mayor.
A group of Patidar youths led by Chandresh Kakadiya rushed towards Hardik and tried to attack him when he was leaving. This led to a scuffle between Kakadiya and supporters of Hardik. Kakadiya had tried to slap Hardik but ended up hitting him on his shoulder. Chandu Sojitra, husband of Congress municipal councillor Jyoti, confronted Kakadiya and this led to some shoving between supporters belonging to two groups. Police detained Kakadiya and Ruchin Desai, but released them later.