Gujarat government approaches Hardik Patel with 'compromise formula'
After an hour-long meeting, Bharatiya Janata Party MP and senior Patel leader Vithal Radadia said the government may drop cases registered against Patidar leaders if the deal is struck.
The Anandiben Patel-headed Gujarat government on Tuesday sent Bharatiya Janata Party MP and senior Patel leader Vithal Radadia to meet Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel in the Surat jail, to discuss a "compromise formula". The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti chief said, "Vitthalbhai Radadia is a respected leader of our community. I had a detailed discussion with him on the [Patel quota] issue. I will accept the compromise formula if it is for the benefit of my community."
After the meeting, Radadia said the government may withdraw cases registered against Patel leaders, including the sedition charge against Patel and others, if the deal is struck. The BJP MP also held meetings with Patel leaders in Surat in an attempt to iron out differences between the community and the state government, reported PTI.
The Gujarat Police had filed an FIR against Hardik Patel in November, accusing him of sedition, after he was reportedly caught on camera advising his followers to kill policemen rather than commit suicide for the cause of reservation for Patels. The 22-year-old, however, had said his comments were misinterpreted, and questioned the authenticity of the video tape. He has been in jail since October 19.