Hardik fails to drop 'bomb' at prestige rally

Hardik Patel who had threatened to drop a "bomb" against the BJP at a rally at Mansa, the hometown of BJP president Amit Shah, instead stuck to the script of hitting out at the party.

Touted as a prestige rally for the young Patel quota stir leader who is facing severe heat after video clips of his purported sexual escapades went public, it was an impressive gathering, held despite local administration refusing to give legal permission. Hardik had said that more than 50,000 Patels would gather in the show of strength.

Hardik said that if the government had indeed given permission to hold the rally, the entire Mansa would have been flooded with Patels. "The district SP and collector told us that they were being pressured by people at the top and so they denied permission. We do not need any permission," Hardik told his supporters at the rally.

Mansa is the place where the Patels held a massive public rally on July 22, 2015, to seek quotas under OBC category. It was also the second public gathering after the quota stir began in Mehsana on July 6, 2015.

Sex CDs

Speaking about the sex CDs, Hardik said his rivals should not have played this game as the people of Gujarat wanted to see the CD of the 23-year rule and not that of a 23-year-old youngster. "In 2007, they defamed Sanjay Joshi and now it is our turn," he said, repeating his allegations that the CDs were released at the behest of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, by spending Rs 40 crore.

The rally wasn't bereft of drama. A couple of video clips - showing some Hardik supporters hitting a car with sticks at a place away from the venue and chasing a group of boys trying to burn an effigy of Hardik - began doing the rounds. This had organisers of the rally appealing to everyone not to resort to violence. There were also allegations of an attack bid on Hardik that was foiled by his supporters.