Facing the heat over Patel quota agitation, the BJP government in Gujarat yesterday announced 10 per cent reservation for the economically backward among upper castes up to an annual family income of R6 lakh, but the Hardik Patel-led outfit rejected it
State BJP president Vijay Rupani (left) made the announcement with CM Anandiben Patel and senior minister Nitin Patel
Gandhinagar: Facing the heat over Patel quota agitation, the BJP government in Gujarat yesterday announced 10 per cent reservation for the economically backward among upper castes up to an annual family income of R6 lakh, but the Hardik Patel-led outfit rejected it.
State BJP president Vijay Rupani (left) made the announcement with CM Anandiben Patel and senior minister Nitin Patel. Pic/PTI
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In its initial reaction, quota agitation leader Hardik Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) rejected the move as another "lollipop" extended by the BJP and the state government to "mislead" their community.
"This is just another 'lollipop' given by the state government to mislead the Patel community. "We do not accept this reservation for EBCs. Our main demand is to release Hardik Patel from jail and then we will decide the future course of action," PAAS spokesperson Dharmik Malaviya said.
However, another quota agitation body Sardar Patel Group (SPG) welcomed the government's move, but said they will assess how much will it help the community.
State BJP president Vijay Rupani, flanked by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and senior minister Nitin Patel, said, "Families having an annual income of R6 lakh or below will be eligible to avail the reservation. That means a family having an income up to R50,000 per month can take the benefit of the scheme," he said.
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