Patel delegation hands over 27-point charter to Gujarat CM

Ahmedabad, March 8 (IANS) A delegation of Patidar community leaders, including BJP MP from Porbandar Vitthal Radadiya, who is mediating between the state government and the agitating Patels, on Tuesday called on Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and state BJP president Vijay Rupani and handed over a 27-point charter of demands to them.

Besides Radadiya, Jairam Patel, a prominent leader of a religious trust of the community in Sidsar, and Hardik Patel's father Bharat Patel were also part of the delegation. Anandiben was accompanied by senior cabinet minister Nitin Patel.

Later, talking to the media, Radadiya said they have handed over an envelope containing a list of issues.

"The government will study the issues and hopefully express its view in three to four days. I will meet (Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader) Hardik Patel again after that," he said.

Radadiya refused to divulge the letter's contents but it is said to contain the chief demand of quota for the Patels in jobs and educational institutions as well as setting up a Patidar commission to look into the issues facing the community.

It is also said to include the demand withdrawal of all cases related to quota stir and release of all jailed agitation leaders.

On March 2, around 10 leaders of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti from South Gujarat and Saurashtra met Hardik Patel in the Lajpore central jail in Surat and later issued a 10- day ultimatum to the state government to act on the 27 demands.

Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad sessions court rejected the bail plea of Hardik Patel in a sedition case slapped on him by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch.

Additional Sessions Judge Naresh Dave, rejecting the bail application, said, "Considering the seriousness of the offence and the role played by the applicant, this court is not inclined to exercise discretion in favour of the applicant. Hence, the application filed by the applicant is hereby rejected."