NEW DELHI:Hardik Patel, the Patidar leader from Gujarat, who shot to fame in the last two months with his quota stir, is set to return to the national capital on Wednesday to announce a new political front.
But, there are serious apprehensions over Patel’s date with Delhi as the Centre and security agencies believe that the growing support to him from Gujjar and farmers’ leaders may trigger quota agitation on Delhi streets too. Monday was his second visit to Delhi. And, after the September 30 programme at the Constitution Club, Hardik Patel is expected to return on October 2 for a meeting with his office-bearers and other community leaders in Gujarat. “He is getting support from Gujjar leaders and Bhartiya Kisan Union. The leaders in the meeting on Monday pledged support to Hardik Patel and even offered Chakka Jam, whenever a call is given. It may trigger an Ahmedabad-like situation in the capital and could also have serious security implications,” sources said.
It was his Ahmedabad agitation which catapulted Hardik Patel on to the national political scene and ever since, he appears to be making moves to garner support for his quota agitation, though the stir has lost some steam in the last few weeks.
Notwithstanding the snub from Rajendra Mawi during his Delhi visit over the Jat reservation, Patel managed to gain support from Gujjar leaders like Natthu Singh Gujjar, who is also the national chairperson of Inquilab Vikas Dal and Chaudhary Kesari Singh Gujjar of the Delhi Dehat Morcha. It is learnt that during his Monday meeting with Bhartiya Kisan Union’s Rishipal Ambawata and Gujjar leaders, Patel was assured of financial assistance and manpower to run the new outfit. It is not yet clear if Mawi, Chairman of Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha, who publicly criticised Patel, will extend his support but Mohan Singh Gujjar and Sees Pal Gujjar, community leaders from Rajasthan and UP respectively, may join Hardik Patel.
In contrast to his first visit, the Gujjar and farmer leaders talked about expanding the agitation to 14 states including UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, West Bengal etc to organise Patel-Kurmi-Sawant-Gujjar coalition. They have planned rallies in Surat, Bihar and West Bengal.