In Gujarat, politics is heating up regarding Patidars. After several outreach programs organized in the electoral state, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Patel is likely to address a convention of the community at a village in Rajkot on Saturday. He will also inaugurate the Multi Specialty Hospital built by Shri Patel Seva Samaj at Atkot.
Sources had informed last week News18 Modi is likely to visit Gujarat thrice in about three weeks with an aim to woo the highly influential Patel community. He said the PM’s second visit is likely in the month of June, and his third is likely on June 18.
And of the 17 events Modi has addressed since March, six were organized by groups with strong ties to the Patidar community. But why this Patidar push? News18 Takes a look:
Importance of Patidars
The Patidar community has a tremendous influence on the politics of Gujarat. They constitute about 12% of the total population of the state of about 6 crore people. Patidars account for more than 15% of the population in several assembly constituencies, which could have a direct impact on the election results, says the report.
Of the 182 assembly constituencies, more than 60 are influenced by the votes of the prominent Patidar group.
Hardik Patel quits Congress.
After being restricted to 99 seats in the 2017 assembly elections, the BJP has worked hard to reclaim the Patidars, a significant part of whom had joined the Congress under Hardik Patel’s leadership.
Events are moving fast after Hardik recently quit the Congress, alleging casteism by the top leadership and non-support by the party.
According to reports, now the convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and former working president of Congress can also join BJP. He has given signals regularly and also indicated to contest elections.
Keep an eye on Naresh Patel too
Another prominent Patidar leader, Rajkot businessman Naresh Patel, who is the chairman of Shree Khodaldham Trust, stating his intention to enter politics is now a blue-eyed boy for the parties. A day after Hardik’s resignation, the party approached him, after which he held talks with the Congress.
However, nothing is clear yet and Patidar politics is still taking shape in Gujarat.
The number of Congress MLAs has come down from 77 to 65 in the last five years. A Deccan Herald report quoted a senior party leader as saying that the BJP is trying to “tempt” 10 Congress MLAs. The Congress had to move its MLAs to a resort in 2020 over fears of poaching after some people joined the BJP.
And last year, the BJP replaced its CM Vijay Rupani with Patidar leader Bhupendrabhai Patel, recognizing the damage and potential of Patidars’ migration to the Congress.
Political analyst Rashid Kidwai told Deccan Herald“The smartest thing to do in Gujarat politics is to keep the Patidar with you (at least not against you). The parties will have to manage an umbrella coalition of caste groups, which are not so hostile to the Patidars. It will be a tough challenge for any opposition party to win Gujarat, as the state is home to both PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and they will leave no stone unturned to hoist the saffron flag there.
The report further argued that after the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) threatened to restart its agitation, the BJP-led Gujarat government announced the removal of ten cases registered in connection with the 2015 Patidar quota dispute. Of.
Modi’s push
Modi virtually inaugurated the KK Patel Super Specialty Hospital in Bhuj on 28 April. The hospital was also established by a Patidar organization Shri Kutch Leuva Patel. education and Medical Trust. Patel Seva Samaj, Etkot, a Patidar philanthropic trust built KD Parvadia Hospital, which will be inaugurated on Saturday.
Modi gave virtual speech in Gujarat Patidar Business The summit, 2022, was organized by Sardardham, a Patidar organization, on 29 April. Modi opted to virtually address the third edition of the summit in Surat for the first time this year.
“There are some boys in your area, who come out against us by hoisting the flag..They won’t even know how you spent your days in the dark…Tell them…what kind of days have you seen and where are we from Aaye hain…”, Modi had said in a clear reference to the 2015 Patidar quota agitation.
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