Ahmedabad/New Delhi
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi Friday managed a major breakthrough, securing the support of young Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani for the coming Gujarat elections.
Mevani will, however, not formally join the party. On the last day of his three-day visit to south Gujarat, Rahul took time off for a one-on-one meeting with Mevani on Dalits’ 17-point charter of demands at a farmhouse near Navsari town. The meeting lasted 25 minutes. Mevani will meet the Congress vice-president for a final round later this month.
To the discomfiture of the ruling BJP, Mevani announced that he and other Dalit leaders would “carry out an extensive campaign against the BJP and ensure that the egoist and arrogant government in Gujarat was uprooted.” Flanked by Rahul, he was addressing the media from Rahul’s campaign vehicle, a bus.
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel did not meet Rahul though he too was in Surat in connection with the sedition case filed against him by the Gujarat Government. He said the legal cell of the Congress must first clarify on Constitutional provisions for ensuring reservation to the Patels. He said Congress’ legal experts, including Kapil Sibal, were expected in Ahmedabad on November 6 when the PAAS core panel would hold another round of talks on the issue. “A final decision will be taken thereafter,” he said, adding the PAAS had no hesitation in backing the Congress.
Sources in Delhi said that under Congress general secretary for Gujarat Ashok Gehlot, a grand anti-BJP alliance was shaping up in the state. Party leaders, however, privately acknowledge it will not be easy to reconcile the demands of OBCs and Dalits because both want quota in government jobs and the education sector and would have to be accommodated under the 50 per cent quota ceiling fixed by the Supreme Court.
Congress Gujarat unit chief Bharatsinh Solanki said the party could always recommend inclusion of new castes. Meanwhile, the Congress is upbeat about the NCP sending feelers in Gujarat. NCP leader Praful Patel is said to be in touch with the Congress for seat adjustment.
The Akhilesh-led SP and rebel JD-U faction of Chhotu Bhai Vasava are already with the Congress. But the BSP will go it alone.
Himachal Polls