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| A still from the publicity video, which compares Hardik Patel to Sardar Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
Staff correspondent, August 18, 2015, NewsCrunch
The restive Patel community in Gujarat has chosen a 22-year-old political upstart Hardik Patel to send a message.
The message is as ambiguous as the rapid rise of Hardik Patel, who is being called New Modi by his supporters.
A rally held by Hardik Patel on Monday at Ahmedabad grabbed national attention. As The Indian Express pointed out it was attended by an astounding 4.5 lakh people belonging to the Patidar or the Patel community.
Hardik Patel, who still speaks with an adolescent voice, says he has one aim: To get reservation in the government jobs and colleges.
But given the wealth and the political clout of the community – there are six Patel ministers in Anandiben Government - reservation seems to be more of an excuse to flex political muscle.
Over the last few years Patels have chosen to follow Modi, who comes from the
Modh Ghanchi community. The new mobilisation could be a sign that they are charting a future beyond Modi.
But why are they rallying behind Hardik Patel is a bit of a mystery. The man, who comes in jeans and likes to pose with guns, now claims the title ‘Patidar Hriday Samrat.’ There are also comparisons made to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Son of a mid-level BJP leader, Hardik Patel started Sardar Patel Sevadal in 2011 for the “protection” of the Patels. On the record, the work done by this organisation is said to have caught the imagination of the Patel community.
Off the record, Congress and BJP blame each other for his rise. Hardik Patel describes himself as a man without any party affiliation. The party or the CM in power does not matter as long as they meet his demand, which is reservation for Patels.
Video: Publicity video which shows Hardik Patel as the hope of
But why are they rallying behind Hardik Patel is a bit of a mystery. The man, who comes in jeans and likes to pose with guns, now claims the title ‘Patidar Hriday Samrat.’ There are also comparisons made to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Son of a mid-level BJP leader, Hardik Patel started Sardar Patel Sevadal in 2011 for the “protection” of the Patels. On the record, the work done by this organisation is said to have caught the imagination of the Patel community.
Off the record, Congress and BJP blame each other for his rise. Hardik Patel describes himself as a man without any party affiliation. The party or the CM in power does not matter as long as they meet his demand, which is reservation for Patels.