Hardik Patel impacted BJP votes in Gujarat: Ramdas Athawale

Ramdas Athawale, union minister of state for social justice and empowerment on Sunday said that Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel's agitation had impacted the BJP in Gujarat. He also asked the young Patel leader to first joint hands with the NDA government and then seek reservation.

"Hardik should join hands with the NDA and then seek reservation. I have also talked to the PM in this connection," said Athawale, a Dalit leader himself who was in Surat on an invitation to attend the Bharatiya Baudh Dharm Parishad.

Athawale said that when Hardik first emerged on the scene with his demand for reservation, he had backed the Patel leader's demand then. "In Gujarat BJP lost some seats due to the influence of Hardik. Congress gained the seats not due to Rahul Gandhi as many believe but because of the backing that Hardik gave to the opposition party," said Athawale.

His press conference also saw some drama when a Dalit youth who was standing behind Athawale suddenly waved black flags accusing the leader and NDA of using Dalits and not doing enough for them.

The youth who was soon overpowered then flung the flag which landed on someone's held. He was soon detained. Athawale said he had also discussed various schemes of the Modi government that were being implemented for the benefit of Dalits and also took stock of the same from officials.

He also asked Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevan to stop associating with naxals. "Mevani championed the Una cause and on the back of it emerged as an MLA. He will have a future only if he stops associating with naxals and those who want to perpetrate violence," said Athawale.

He said that the Mevani should remember that Ambedkar himself was against any sort of violence and was an opponent of the naxal movement too. He further added that Rahul Gandhi's dream of becoming prime minister in 2019 would continue to be a dream as Modi would emerge the winner.

AN OPINION

• Hardik should join hands with the NDA and then seek reservation. I have also talked to the PM in this connection,” said Athawale, a Dalit leader himself.
   
• He said that Mevani should remember that Ambedkar himself was against any sort of violence and was an opponent of the naxal movement too.