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Shot in the arm for Congress in Gujarat as Hardik Patel declares support

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9 years ago

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Shot in the arm for Congress in Gujarat as Hardik Patel declares support

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Declaration of support from the Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti chief comes on a day when Congress was on the back-foot for its controversial meme against PM Modi

On a day when the Congress party had been forced to go on the back-foot against the BJP following a controversial meme put out by Youth Congress volunteers on Twitter mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Grand Old Party got a shot in the arm in its Gujarat poll campaign as it secured the support of Patidar leader Hardik Patel for its electoral pitch.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hardik Patel, the popular leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) who had kept the Congress guessing for weeks over whether he would formally endorse the party’s electoral bid in the state or not, declared on Wednesday that he had “accepted the formula given by the Congress” on providing reservations for Patidar community in government jobs in Gujarat if it is voted to power.

Reservation for the politically influential Patidar community, which comprises around 15 per cent of the Gujarat electorate and holds the key for electoral victory in at least 60 of the state’s 182 assembly constituencies, was a key demand of the PAAS leaders. Hardik Patel, who has had several rounds of discussions – directly and through his representatives – with the Congress leadership in the past few weeks, had demanded that the Congress offer a formula for carving out the quota without disturbing the existing 49 per cent reservation already promised to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in the state.

On Wednesday, Hardik Patel said: “The Congress has accepted our demand for reservations with a formula that provides for benefits equivalent to OBCs constitutionally, without disturbing the present 49 per cent quota for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs…We are accepting the formula given to us by the Congress party.”

Hardik’s announcement, seen as his clear endorsement of the Congress in the poll-bound state where the party has been out of power for the past 22 years was immediately welcomed by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who had led his party’s discussions with the PAAS leader on the legal aspects of the quota-assurance.

Asserting that a “united fight” by the Congress and PAAS leaders would dethrone the BJP in Gujarat, Sibal told reporters: “We are very happy that a ‘sanjha morcha’ (united front) will now fight against the BJP… We thank him (Hardik) that they (PAAS) have joined us with an ideology to contest the election by coming together… Our target is to win the election and fulfill promises made to the people.”.

The Congress leader, however, refused to divulge details of the ‘formula’ that his party had offered to the Patidar leader on carving out a quota for the community, even as the BJP leadership continued to claim that “any formulation over Patidar reservation offered by the Congress would be legally and constitutionally untenable”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On his part, Hardik claimed that he along with his PAAS colleagues will have the reservation formula scrutinized by senior lawyers and constitutional experts to confirm its tenability, though he expressed confidence on the probability of the formulation offered by the Congress being legally valid.

Hardik brushed aside allegations by the ruling BJP of him being a “Congress agent” and said: “The Congress has accepted our demands though it is in Opposition and has promised to even include it in its manifesto. In this situation, when the BJP tortured our youth and slapped false cases, including those of sedition, there is nothing wrong in supporting the Congress.”

The PAAS chief added: “Let the BJP call me a Congress agent. I am nobody’s agent, except of the people… The Congress has promised that a survey would be carried out within Patel or any other forward community as per provisions of the OBC Commission and on this basis parameters of economic, social, educational or employment would be used to extend reservation benefits to Patels and other communities that currently do not benefit from the quota system.”

Hardik declared that the Congress had said that if it won the Gujarat polls – due in two phases scheduled for December 9 and 14 with results to be decalred on December 18 – it would pass a proposal for reservations for Patidars under Articles 31-C and 46 of the Constitution.

With many political observers and the BJP leadership claiming that any reservation beyond the existing 49 per cent granted to SC, ST and OBC communities would be a violation of the Supreme Court-mandated cap on quotas, Hardik claimed this argument was not correct and that “there is nothing in the constitution that prohibits quota beyond 49 per cent.”

Hardik said that since 1994, many states, including Gujarat, had given quotas beyond 50 per cent and in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka such reservation had been in existence for the past 15 to 17 years.

With youth leaders like Hardik, Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mevani – politically influential faces of Patidar, OBC Thakore and Dalit communities respectively – directly or tacitly supporting the Congress’ bid for power in poll-bound Gujarat, the Grand Old Party can finally hope to make some incremental electoral gains in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah.

However, whether the declaration of support from these leaders will actually lead a conversation of actual votes of people from their communities in favour of the Congress is something that will be known only on December 18 when the Election Commission declares results for the high-stakes Assembly polls.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Amit Shah praises Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, says Nation above post

Amit Shah hailed Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister, saying BJP places the nation and students above any position while highlighting the government’s commitment to examination reforms.

Published

19 hours ago

on

July 26, 2026

By

Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday praised Dharmendra Pradhan’s decision to step down as Union Education Minister, saying the move reflected the Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment to placing the nation and students above any political position.

In a post on X, Shah said that for BJP workers, the country, its youth and students are more important than any office. He described Pradhan’s resignation as an example of the party’s guiding principle of prioritising national interest over personal ambition.

Shah highlights government’s focus on exam reforms

Amit Shah said the Narendra Modi-led government respects the sentiments of students and remains committed to strengthening the examination system following concerns over alleged paper leaks.

He said the Centre has introduced strict measures to ensure severe punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks and expressed confidence that these steps would deliver justice to students who cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Praises Pradhan’s work as Education Minister

Recalling Dharmendra Pradhan’s tenure, Shah highlighted several initiatives undertaken during his time in the Education Ministry. He credited Pradhan with helping implement the National Education Policy (NEP), expanding PM SHRI schools, promoting digital education, strengthening skill development and improving coordination between industry and academic institutions.

Shah also said Pradhan worked towards making examinations more inclusive and student-centric, adding that his tenure reflected his commitment to the vision of a developed India.

Resignation follows NEET controversy

Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation comes amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and growing demands for accountability.

The resignation has triggered political reactions across party lines. While opposition parties have described the development as a result of sustained student protests, BJP leaders have projected it as an example of accountability and commitment to national interest.

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Centre ready for NEET debate in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi’s paper leak claims to be investigated: JP Nadda

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said the government is prepared for a detailed Parliament debate on the NEET paper leak issue and will investigate Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of multiple paper leaks over the last decade.

Published

4 days ago

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July 22, 2026

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JP-Nadda

The Centre has reiterated its willingness to hold a detailed discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in Parliament, with Union Health Minister JP Nadda saying the government is prepared for a debate of any duration. He also said Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of around 152 examination paper leaks over the past 10 years would be investigated.

Government open to debate of any duration

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, JP Nadda said the government has consistently supported a discussion on the paper leak issue in Parliament. He stated that the Opposition could decide the duration of the debate through the Business Advisory Committee, whether it is a short discussion or one extending to 12 or even 18 hours.

Nadda, who is also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, said the government remains fully prepared for a comprehensive discussion and urged the Opposition not to shift its position on the issue.

Rahul Gandhi’s paper leak allegations to be examined

Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s recent presentation, Nadda said the Congress leader referred to nearly 150 paper leak incidents over the last decade. He described those claims as a matter that requires investigation and said the government would examine the allegations before presenting the facts to the public.

According to Nadda, a responsible government is committed to verifying such claims and ensuring that the truth is established through due investigation.

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Highlighting the significance of the matter, Nadda said the future of students should remain the top priority for both the government and the Opposition. He appealed to political parties to work together in finding a long-term solution to prevent examination irregularities.

He added that safeguarding the interests of students is a shared responsibility and called for constructive cooperation instead of political differences.

Nadda on meeting with CJP representatives

The Union Minister also spoke about his recent interaction with representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). He said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, during which the government listened to their concerns and asked them to submit their suggestions in writing.

Nadda said the government remains open to further discussions whenever required and clarified that no meeting with the group was held on Wednesday.

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Opposition demands Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation before NEET discussion in Parliament

The Opposition has demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation before any discussion on the NEET paper leak in Parliament, while the Centre says it is fully prepared for a debate.

Published

4 days ago

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July 22, 2026

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The political deadlock over the NEET paper leak issue continued in Parliament on Wednesday, with Opposition parties demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before any discussion takes place. The Centre, however, maintained that it is fully prepared to debate the matter during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

Leading the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there could be no fair discussion on the NEET issue unless Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post.

Centre rejects Opposition’s condition

Responding to the Opposition’s demand, Leader of the House JP Nadda said the government was not avoiding a discussion and remained open to debating all issues, including the alleged NEET paper leak.

He said the government had already made its position clear and described it as transparent, adding that it was willing to discuss every matter raised by the Opposition.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also reiterated that the Centre had been ready for discussions since the beginning of the Monsoon Session. He said the government had consistently conveyed its willingness to debate the NEET issue and other important matters.

Rijiju added that if the Opposition was looking for reasons to avoid a discussion, it would not be appropriate. According to him, the procedure and timing of the debate would be decided after consultations among all parties under the Chair’s guidance.

Opposition maintains resignation demand

The government also informed the House that its willingness to discuss the issue had been communicated to Congress leaders and representatives of other political parties.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the Opposition’s stand, saying students were seeking the resignation of the Education Minister before any discussion. He asserted that the resignation should come first, followed by parliamentary debate on the issue.

Akhilesh Yadav also joined Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs during a march towards the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday as part of the protest over the NEET controversy.

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