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Congress lists 3 options before Patidar Andolan leaders over quota demand

Published

8 years ago

November 9, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Nominees of Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) hold late night talks with Congress delegation led by Kapil Sibal on reservation for Patels

With barely a month left before the first phase of polling for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the Congress party is literally burning the midnight oil to finalise its alliance with Hardik Patel’s Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) in a bid to secure their endorsement for its bid at power.

Late on Wednesday night, a Congress delegation led by senior party leader Kapil Sibal held talks with PAAS representatives – though Hardik Patel chose to skip the meet – to discuss their demand for carving out a reservation policy that would enable the state’s politically crucial 18 percent Patidar/Patel population to seek government jobs and seats in educational institutions under a clearly defined quota.

The meeting that began shortly after 11.30 pm on Wednesday night in Ahmedabad continued almost till 2 am on Thursday. At the end of the deliberations, PAAS leaders claimed that the Congress had laid out before them three options through which the sticky issue of carving out the reservation – beyond the existing Supreme Court mandated cap of a total of 49 per cent – can be resolved.

Hardik Patel had made it clear to the Congress leadership that an endorsement from him and the PAAS for the party’s election campaign in Gujarat will come only after the grand old party clearly lays out its plan on how it would bypass the 49 per cent cap for reservations to grant a new quota that will largely benefit the Patidar community.

“We have been given three options by the Congress party on how to provide reservation to our community in educational institutions and government jobs,” PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania said after the meeting.

Though the details of the options laid out by the Congress are being kept a secret, Bambhania said that the PAAS leaders will “discuss these with Hardik Patel, social leaders of the community, legal experts and then place them before our community.” The PAAS convener said that if any of the options listed by the Congress is found legally tenable and is also accepted by the Patidar community, then talks with the Congress over backing it in the upcoming elections will continue.

“The Congress proposal has not touched 49 per cent reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes which exists in the state. The options that have been given are over and above it,” Bambhania said, while adding that an earlier offer made by the party of carving out a quota “under the Economically Backward Class” category has been rejected by PAAS “as it is not constitutionally valid”.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal who led the talks from his party’s end expressed hope that the discussions will lead to a positive outcome soon and added: “we have discussed all the aspects and will do all the things (to provide reservation to the Patidar community) as per the Constitution.”

Another meeting between the Congress and PAAS leaders, Sibal said, would be convened over the next 2-3 days to take the talks forward.

The polling for the two-phase Gujarat elections will take place on December 9 and 14 and votes will be counted on December 18.

Promising Hardik Patel and his PAAS comrades a reservation for Patidars in Gujarat will not be an easy choice for the Congress as in doing so the party risks alienating backwards castes, Dalits and adivasis who currently enjoy benefits of reservation and could see such a commitment as one that impinges on their constitutionally mandated right. This is why the Congress and even the PAAS leaders have made it clear that the Patidar reservation formula must leave the existing reservation system in the state untouched.

In Gujarat, OBCs comprise 146 castes and make up around 40 per cent of the state’s population. They have a 27 per cent quota in government jobs and education. The scheduled castes are entitled to a 7 per cent quota while the 15 per cent has been reserved for scheduled tribes. This makes a total of 49 per cent reserved seats in the state which is just under the 50 per cent reservation cap set by the Supreme Court.

The Congress has roped in OBC leader Alpesh Thakore within its ranks while popular Dalit leader from the state, Jignesh Mevani has assured Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi that he will ask his supporters to “not vote for the BJP” in the largely bi-polar state. If the Congress also manages to get Hardik’s endorsement during the upcoming election, it hopes that its 22-year-long exile from the seat of power in the BJP ruled state could come to an end.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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BJP seals Assam seat-sharing pact, Modi to hold 3 rallies in April

BJP has finalised its Assam seat-sharing plan with allies and is gearing up for an intense campaign led by PM Modi and Amit Shah.

Published

6 hours ago

March 18, 2026

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The Bharatiya Janata Party has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, firming up its strategy alongside National Democratic Alliance partners as campaigning gathers pace in the state.

Under the agreement, the BJP will contest 89 seats, while its allies — Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front — will field candidates in 26 and 11 constituencies respectively. The distribution has been decided after internal deliberations, with the focus now shifting to candidate announcements and campaign execution.

Campaign push led by top leadership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address three rallies in Assam during the final leg of the campaign. Tentative dates for the rallies are April 1, April 3 and April 6, with events likely to be held in key constituencies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also set to spearhead an extensive campaign across the state through March, aiming to energise party workers and strengthen voter outreach.

Candidate selection underway

The party’s Central Election Committee is currently meeting to finalise candidates. Sources indicate that approvals for most constituencies are expected soon, and the BJP may release its complete list of candidates within the next two days.

Ticket distribution remains a crucial exercise, with internal discussions highlighting its potential impact on local political dynamics. Party leaders have also touched upon the proposed delimitation exercise scheduled for 2027, which is expected to have long-term implications for Assam’s electoral landscape.

Polling and counting dates

Voting for all 126 Assembly seats in Assam is scheduled for April 9, while the votes will be counted on May 4.

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Mamata Banerjee warns BJP, EC over Bengal polls, says they will be accountable

Mamata Banerjee holds BJP and Election Commission responsible for any incidents during Bengal polls, raising concerns over officer transfers.

Published

1 day ago

March 17, 2026

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India responsible for any untoward incidents in the state during the upcoming assembly elections, following the transfer of key officials.

Addressing concerns over administrative reshuffles, Banerjee said that changes involving senior bureaucrats, including the chief secretary and home secretary, could affect governance and law and order in the state during a crucial period.

The Trinamool Congress chief also announced candidates for 291 constituencies for the elections scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29.

Criticising the Election Commission, Banerjee alleged that the transfers were being carried out in a manner that benefits the BJP. She questioned the timing of the decisions and said such actions weaken the state administration at a sensitive time.

She further raised concerns about disaster management and essential services, stating that experienced officials familiar with the state’s situation have been replaced. According to her, this could impact administrative efficiency if any emergency arises before the new government is formed.

Protecting Bengal’s identity

Banerjee emphasised that the election is not merely about forming a government but about safeguarding Bengal’s identity and existence. She accused the BJP of misusing central agencies and attempting to influence the electoral process.

She urged that elections should be conducted peacefully, without external interference, and in line with democratic principles. The chief minister also expressed confidence that her party would return to power with a stronger mandate.

Appealing to voters, she called for support for the Trinamool Congress, asserting that the people of Bengal will ultimately decide the outcome and protect their democratic rights.

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Mamata Banerjee writes to poll chief over officers’ reshuffle, calls move arbitrary

Mamata Banerjee has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, calling the reshuffle of senior Bengal officials arbitrary and raising concerns over constitutional norms.

Published

2 days ago

March 17, 2026

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising strong objections to the recent reshuffle of senior bureaucrats in the state ahead of the assembly elections.

In her letter, Banerjee described the move by the Election Commission of India as “arbitrary” and expressed “deep concern” over what she termed a unilateral decision. She urged the Commission to refrain from adopting such measures in the future.

The Chief Minister pointed out that while the Election Commission does have the authority to make administrative changes during elections, past practice has involved consultation with the state government. According to her, the Commission would typically seek a panel of officers from the state and make its selections from that list, maintaining what she called constitutional propriety and administrative convention.

Banerjee warned that bypassing this process could undermine the institutional credibility and long-standing legacy of the poll body, and may also affect the foundational principles of the constitutional framework.

The controversy stems from the Commission’s decision, taken soon after announcing election dates, to remove several top officials from election-related duties. These include the state’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Kolkata Police Commissioner, and Home Secretary.

The Commission has maintained that the reshuffle was aimed at ensuring a peaceful and violence-free electoral process.

Reacting sharply, Banerjee alleged bias in the decision-making, claiming that the removal of the Chief Secretary indicated an anti-women stance. She also accused the Commission of selectively targeting officers, suggesting that the move favoured individuals aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress escalated its protest, staging a day-long walkout from the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day.

Responding to the criticism, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Election Commission is a constitutional authority, adding that questioning its decisions in Parliament is inappropriate and unproductive.

The Commission has appointed a new Chief Secretary in place of the outgoing official as part of the reshuffle.