We want quota, says Hardik

PAAS leader Hardik Patel on Monday reiterated his demand for reservations to government jobs and educational institutions for his community.

"Aap chahey aakaash se lao ya pataal se laao. Mujhe toh arakshan chahiye. (You get it from heaven or abyss. I just want reservation," he told mediapersons, reacting to a meeting between Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti members and Congress leaders in the state on Monday. It was also seen as a warning to the BJP.

"The Congress is not our maai-baap (parents). We are talking with the Congress as our right to speak to a party in the Opposition as the ruling BJP is not willing to listen to our demands," Hardik said, dubbing the meeting with the Congress leaders as
satisfactory.

He, however, said that if the Congress agrees to all its demands and convinces them of how its reservation proposal would hold water constitutionally, they would extend their support to the Congress in the Assembly polls.

Scathing words for BJP

Hardik, meanwhile, had scathing words for the ruling BJP.

"We will not go with the BJP, even if our heads are chopped off or we are sent to jail. We cannot align with people who fired bullets at our chest, who went and urinated in our houses in front of our women, who insulted descendants of Sardar Patel," he said.

"For 25 years, the Patels have helped the BJP with vote and note, but have never asked for anything. Now, we are asking for quotas in education and jobs," he said.