OBC quota row: Gujarat govt for another round of talks with Patels

The Gujarat government on Tuesday said it was ready for another round of talks with members of the Patel community, who are seeking reservation under the OBC quota, ahead of their scheduled rally in the city on August 25.

The seven-member committee, appointed by Gujarat government on the issue, had on Monday held a meeting with the Patel community members.

“We held talks with the office-bearers of Sardar Patel Group (one of the groups seeking OBC quota for Patels) on Monday and we will again meet them on the issue,” state Health Minister Nitin Patel, who heads the committee, told reporters here on Tuesday.

“They (Patel leaders) told us that there are several issues that they need to discuss with the government. We will invite them again. They have assured us that they will come and hold negotiations with us,” Patel added. According to Hardik Patel, convener of Patel <g data-gr-id="21">Anamat</g> Andolan Samiti, the community members will hold a grand rally at the riverfront area in Ahmedabad, in which around 25 lakh people are likely to take part. On Monday’s meeting between the Patel community representatives and the state panel ended without a breakthrough, reportedly as the Patel leaders refused to accept the formulas put forward by the government.

<g data-gr-id="17">Spokesperson</g> of Sardar Patel Group (SPG), P C Patel, said the meeting was a total “failure”.