Gujarat limped back to normalcy on Tuesday after violence during the Patel quota stir on Sunday and subsequent bandh as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Opposition Congress indulged in a blame game over the current phase of unrest in the state, which goes to polls next year.
Officials said no untoward incident took place in Gujarat on Tuesday, prompting the police to lift mobile Internet ban in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Mehsana districts in the morning. A war of words broke out between the BJP and the Congress each blaming the other for the current state of affairs in Gujarat arising out of the latest phase of the Patel quota agitation launched to seek reservation for the community members under OBC category.
Health Minister and Government spokesperson Nitin Patel accused Congress of inciting the protesters to resort to violence so as to keep the quota issue alive till the 2017 Assembly elections. Congress refuted the allegation and expressed sympathy for the agitators.
Referring to stone pelting and violent clashes between Patel agitators and police at Mehsana two days back during a ‘Jail Bharo’ rally, Nitin claimed Congress- backed elements egged on the rioters.
“Most of the agitators were against any violence and announced they will only court arrest in a peaceful manner. But, some Congress-backed elements started hurling stones and incited others for violence. We know that Congress was behind this act,” alleged the Minister.