Gujarat holds parleys with Hardik to reach compromise

The violent Jat stir seems to have set the alarm bells ringing in the Gujarat government, which sent an emissary to meet jailed Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel to explore a compromise on the vexed issue on Tuesday.

Prominent Patel leader and BJP MP Vitthal Radadia, who met Hardik in Lajpore jail, claimed that the government may consider withdrawal of cases registered against Patel leaders, including that of sedition against Hardik and others, if the deal is struck.

“Vitthalbhai Radadia is the respected leader of our community. I had a detailed discussion with him on the (Patel quota) issue. I will accept the compromise formula, if it is for the benefit of my community,” said Hardik, who was taken out of the jail for production in court in Visnagar.

Radadia and Hardik held a detailed discussion related to issues raised by the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti' (PAAS), leading the agitation for quota for Patels under the OBC category. “Anandiben Patel (Gujarat CM) had asked me to meet Hardik on behalf of the state government to find out a possible solution to the ongoing Patel quota agitation,” Radadia said.