Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government today had over five hours long discussions here with the 11 member PAAS delegation appointed by their ‘exiled’ convener Hardik Patel and decided to call them again for next round of talks.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who led the government side in which minister of state for law Pradipsinh Jadeja was also included, later told newsmen that the four points raised by the PAAS delegation including reservation to the community, setting up of Patidar commission, job and assistance to the family members of those died during the quota stir last year and action against the policemen responsible for alleged atrocities was heard in detail.

‘We also informed them about the constitutional and legal aspects of the issues and will now put it before the Chief Minister and party leadership on Monday and later call the PAAS people again for further discussions,’ he said hinting,however, that providing reservation was difficult under the constitutional provisions and supreme court rulings of it not exceeding 50% limit in any case.

‘For reservation to a caste, the representation in proper manner should be put before the concerned commission and related survey should also be done. Government’s role comes later. So far as the Patidar commission was concerned the government would see to it that how the welfare of the community and other castes raising quota issue is safeguarded,’ he said.

Meanwhile PAAS spokesperson Varun Patel, who was also in the delegation that met the state government representatives today said that today’s talks were ‘inconclusive’ with regard to the result. ‘However, we were able to make the government comprehend fully and in detail our points,’ he said.

‘They told us that after meeting the chief minister and party leaders they will call us again to have a result oriented round of talks. We want to make it clear that we won’t let them buy time. If nothing solid comes out in next meeting a more intense agitation than the one in the past led by Hardik, will be started against the government,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Hardik, who is living in Udaipur of Rajasthan as per the condition of his bail in sedition cases, said that after the next round there won’t be any further talks if no results are yielded. He also said that the union government and BJP’s central leadership should intervene to resolve the issues.

The PAAS delegation also included Hardik’s close aide Dinesh Bambhania, Lalit Vasoya, Manoj Panara, Dinesh Bambhrolia, Alpesh Kathiaria, Ravi Patel, Uday Patel, Kirit Patel, Ketan Patel and Anil Patel.

On Gujarat govt statement:

Gujarat government today said it held talks with 11 conveners of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti and it hopes for

According to the Gujarat government, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Minister of state for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja and Minister of state for Water Resources Nanubhai Vanani today held talk with 11 conveners of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti which is demanding Other Backward Class(OBC) reservation for Patidar community.

According to government the talk went on for over six hours on four important issues such as reservation quota, police atrocity, relief to relatives of those who were killed during agitation and formation of Patidar Aayog.

According to Deputy Chief Minister, the talks will remain secret between government and conveners. They are ready for further talks. Convenors spoke to Hardik after meeting and he also was ready for another meeting.

Issues discussed in today’s talks will be put before Chief Minister, party leaders and cabinet, and decision will be taken on when to do second meeting after Monday.

State government asked conveners that if they can make detail representation regarding their demand on reservation and how reservation has been granted in other states, it will he helpful for state government to do whatever necessary. Government assured conveners that it will act positively and extend its support if formal representation before Other Backward Class(OBC) Commission is made.

Nitin Patel added that talks were held in cordial atmosphere and government is hopeful for results in future.

DeshGujarat