NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Politics News / Gujarat elections: After weeks of drama, Hardik Patel backs Congress
    Next Article
    Gujarat elections: After weeks of drama, Hardik Patel backs Congress

    Gujarat elections: After weeks of drama, Hardik Patel backs Congress

    By Krunali Shah
    Nov 22, 2017
    02:11 pm

    What's the story

    After weeks of dilly-dallying over seat distribution and quota negotiations, Patidar leader Hardik Patel has announced his tie-up with Congress for the upcoming Gujarat elections.

    He claims Congress offered an "acceptable solution" of quotas for Patidars.

    Earlier, this alliance faced opposition from Hardik-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti's (PAAS) supporters over ticket distribution.

    Hardik had also denounced the BJP and Congress as "being the same."

    Negotiations

    How did the negotiations proceed until now?

    Earlier, Congress' Kapil Sibal had provided Patidars three reservations options and had decided to field 7-8 candidates recommended by Hardik.

    However, after a Congress-Patidar meet in Delhi got delayed, Patidars had set a 24-hour deadline for the Congress to accept Patidar demands or risk losing their support.

    Later, following a crucial meeting, they asserted that an agreement was reached on "all major issues."

    Do you know?

    Tussle over seats led to violent clashes

    Following its crucial meeting with Patidars, Congress released its list of candidates, which included only two PAAS supporters. Subsequently, violent clashes erupted as PAAS supporters attacked Congress offices. Then, Congress in damage-control mode replaced five of the total 90 candidates to pacify the Patidars.

    "Indirect" support

    Hardik denies "joining" Congress; trains guns on BJP

    After the issue of seats got resolved, Hardik held a press conference announcing his "indirect" support for Congress.

    He said PAAS is not "openly" supporting Congress, but as they are both fighting BJP, they became natural allies.

    Further, he accused BJP of "horse-trading" claiming that he was offered a whopping Rs. 1,200cr to switch sides.

    He said another PAAS convener was offered Rs. 50L.

    Congress tickets

    Meanwhile, Hardik says no Congress tickets were sought

    Meanwhile, even as other PAAS leaders claimed they received the short-end of the stick in terms of seats, Hardik said PAAS had not negotiated with Congress about fielding candidates.

    He further denied any fracture within PAAS.

    He also urged Patidars to not forget the "martyrs" of the 2015 agitation for the sake of 3-4 tickets.

    He said their primary goal is reservation for Patidars.

    Quota formula

    Congress' Patidar quota formula is finally revealed!

    About the quota formula, Hardik said Congress will use Article 46 to bring a bill for "non-reserved" classes. Article 46 pertains to the promotion of educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and other weaker sections.

    Further, OBC equivalent benefits will be given to those not entitled to quotas in jobs and education.

    Hardik said Congress will put this quota formula in their manifesto.

    Significance

    What does this imply?

    Hardik has been cautious in declaring support to Congress. This wariness comes amid reports that Patidars, who have been BJP's core support base since two decades, were unhappy about Hardik's rising proximity with Congress.

    Hardik has also been successful in keeping Congress at tenterhooks, forcing them to change their candidates' list to accommodate PAAS candidates.

    Congress will hope his high-handedness translates to votes.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Gujarat
    Gujarat Elections
    Hardik Patel
    Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti

    Latest

    Supreme Court acquits man sentenced to death for 3-year-old's rape-murderĀ  Bombay High Court
    Chivanga replaces injured Gwandu in Zimbabwe's one-off Test versus England Zimbabwe Cricket Team
    Decoding scenario of overseas players for remainder of IPL 2025 Gujarat Titans
    Chris Brown's UK assault case moved to higher court Chris Brown

    Gujarat

    PM Modi in Gujarat: Diwali has come early for Indians Narendra Modi
    Modi in Gujarat: First visit to hometown Vadnagar since 2014 Narendra Modi
    Anandiben Patel: Won't contest 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections Narendra Modi
    Gujarat: Petrol-price cut by Rs. 2.93, diesel by Rs. 2.72 Petrol Diesel Prices

    Gujarat Elections

    NOTA to be available in Gujarat RS polls, rules SC Supreme Court Of India
    Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls: Follow latest developments here Gujarat
    Himachal to go to polls in November, Gujarat in December Gujarat
    Another Rahul Gandhi gaffe: Congress VP walks into women's toilet! Gujarat

    Hardik Patel

    Gujarat Govt to appeal against HC's EBC order Supreme Court Of India
    Major disaster averted in repeat of 'sabotage' attempt Uddhav Thackeray
    Tension in Surat: Patidars torch buses, vandalize property Gujarat
    Hardik threatens Congress: Announce Patidar reservation plan or face consequences! Gujarat

    Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti

    Shoe thrown at Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Gujarat India
    Gujarat: Congress accepts 4 of 5 demands of Hardik's faction Gujarat
    Hardik: BJP will use "fake sex CD" to defame me! Gujarat
    Hardik Patel's sex tape surfaces online. Is it really him? Gujarat Elections
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025