The Patel leader also took potshots at the BJP and asked why no MLA from the party showed up despite being invited.
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel, who has been criticised for diverting from the original cause of reservation, called for unity among the community members at the 'Mahapanchayat' organised in Dhrangadhra, Surendranagar, on Saturday.
The Patel leader also took potshots at the BJP and asked why no MLA from the party showed up despite being invited.
"When I ask why farmers are not getting a good price for their produce, they accuse me of diverting from the issue of reservation," Hardik said while addressing a massive gathering.
"We are not asking for reservation to get ghee or kerosene. We are asking for quota so that our children can become police inspectors, mamlatdars and government officers," Hardik said. He reminded the community members that agitations last long and is not limited to one or two elections.
"If we want results, we will have to fight long. There will be 2019 and 2020, too," Hardik said and urged the community members to stay united and "fight BJP goons' efforts to divide the community."
He also questioned the absence of some Patel leaders from the Congress, including Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani, at the meeting.
"We have voted for you so that you would raise the issue of reservation in the Assembly. We want you to grow in numbers, but we will also pull you down if you don't represent our cause," Hardik said.
He recalled that at one point he was an active member of the BJP.
"But that was the party of Keshubapa and Vajpayee. We are not for the party of goons like Amit Shah and Modi (PM Narendra Modi)," he said .
Hardik also raised the issues of fuel price rise and the promised sum of Rs15 lakh that was yet to come in everyone's bank accounts.
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