Deal Done, Hardik Patel's Announcement Tomorrow, Says Congress

AHMEDABAD: With just three weeks to go for the Gujarat elections, the Congress said it has arrived at an understanding with Hardik Patel, who is leading the politically crucial Patidar community's agitation for reservation in government jobs and education. While the two sides have come to a consensus on the reservation formula, the formal announcement on support will be made by the 24-year-old Patidar leader at a meeting in Rajkot tomorrow, the Congress said. Hardik Patel did not attend the meeting.

It is, however, still unclear whether people from Hardik's group will contest on Congress tickets. The first list of candidates has already been delayed.

After an hour meeting, Mr Patel's group, the PAAS or Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, also refused to divulge details. The Congress is making a big effort to capture power in the state, which has been ruled by the BJP for 22 years and support from the Patidar community, staunch BJP supporters for decades, is a crucial step.

Hardik Patel has made it clear that the BJP's lack of support to their demands will cost it during the elections. But sources in the Congress had suggested that its demand for 20 assembly seats from where it wanted its supporters to be fielded in next month's assembly election, is too steep a price for its support.