Quota issue to dominate Gujarat Assembly polls next year

Ahmedabad: The demand for quota by Patidars is likely to be a key issue in run up to Gujarat Assembly polls next year, with BJP’s attempt to put the row behind by announcing 10 per cent reservations for economically backward among the upper castes appearing to meet little success.

After a nine-month long sustained agitation by Patidars led by their young leader Hardik Patel, the state government tried to placate the community by announcing reservations recently. However, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti has rejected it.

Earlier, the state government had declared a scheme, Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavlamban Yojna, for providing financial assistance to poor students of upper caste to counter Patel quota agitation.