Stalemate at Hardik’s meeting with CM Anandiben Patel, he warns of another rally

Speaking to The Indian Express, Nitin Patel said: “They have asked government to look into their issues in 10 days and also said that they would not intensify their protest.”

WATCH VIDEO: Why Are We Talking About Hardik Patel

This was Hardik Patel’s first meeting with Chief Minister Anandiben after the Patidar rally in Ahmedabad on August 25 turned violent, resulting in the death of 10 people.

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Speaking to reporters, the Patidar leader insisted that the meeting “could not be called a flop show” but admitted that the government did not agree to their demands. The discussions were not about the quota issue and focussed on police action on protesters, he added.

Minister Patel said that the CID would investigate the issue “as per the High Court order” to find out whether “innocents have been framed”. “In cases of alleged police atrocity, the government will take all the steps possible within legal framework,” police said.

The Patidars’ demands include suspension of officers who ordered the lathicharge on August 25, imposition of murder charges on officers under whose jurisdictions Patidars died, freedom for members of the community caught for attempted murder and rioting, and free treatment for the injured.

“The government has so far agreed only on the point of free treatment,” said Hardik.

“The meeting was satisfactory and held in a peaceful environment. The process of talks has begun,” Minister Patel said.

The meeting was originally scheduled for 11 am before Hardik changed his plans and decided to meet ex-CM Keshubhai Patel at his residence in Gandhinagar.

Then, till 6.30 pm, Hardik and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) president Lalji Patel remained huddled with other Patidars in Gandhinagar circuit house, finalising conditions for the meeting.

To begin with, they insisted that the CM meet 144 of their convenors. But after hours of back and forth, it will finally decided that a 14-member delegation, including Hardik, Lalji, Chirag Patel, Dinesh Patel and Alpesh Katheriya, would represent the Patidars.

Apart from the CM, sources said, the state government was represented by ministers Saurabh Patel, Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Vijay Rupani, Rajnikant Patel and Nitin Patel. The meeting was also attended by BJP state unit chief R C Faldu and general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Mansukh Mandaviya.