In a reminiscent of last year’s angry protests, the BJP President, Amit Shah, on Sunday had to face a massive protests by angry Patidars even as he tried to address a gathering in Anand in Gujarat.
Shah, who is in Gujarat to flag off what’s being billed as Gaurav Yatra, was not allowed to speak by angry protesters, primarily Patidars. Agitating Patidar youths disrupted his speech.
Taking a potshot, the Patidar leader, Hardik Patel, wrote, “Gaurav Yatra organised by BJP is in fact Kaurav (mythological characters from Mahabharat considered villains) Yatra. Those protesting against the yatra were lathi-charged. The venue remained empty.”
Hardik, a popular leader of Patidar movement in Gujarat, added that in the coming elections, the BJP’s fight was not against Congress but people of the state.
He added, “In this year’s elections the BJP is not fighting against Congress, but its fight is against the people of Gujarat. That’s why the BJP has gone crazy.”
Last year in September, angry Patidars had caused chaotic scenes at the venue of the BJP Shah’s Patidar rally in Gujarat’s Surat as angry Patels resorted to breaking the chairs and shouted pro Hardik Patel and anti Shah slogans.
Last week, members of Patidar community had created ruckus at Gujarat deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel’s press conference in Gandhinagar and stopped him from speaking to the media.
In June, a woman councillor had thrown bangles at the stage, where Nitin Patel was sitting.
Gujarat is scheduled to go for crucial assembly polls in December this year. The state’s BJP government is facing a huge anti-incumbency with local population asking tough questions on the government’s claims on development.