Ahmedabad

BJP MLA from Dhari constituency of Amreli district in Gujarat, Nalin Kotadiya today came out in open to support of the pro-reservation agitation of the Patel community outfits claiming he was even ready to resign for the cause.

Talking to UNI Mr. Kotodiya, who was elected as a candidate of the Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) which was later merged with the BJP in 2013, said, ‘ Being a son of Patidar (Patel), I am ready to give up my assembly membership if my community asks for that. I fully support the agitation.’

Mr. Kotadiya, the first open voice from within the ruling BJP to support the agitation which was openly defying the state government by holding continuous rallies all over the state, said, ‘ I also support the steps of state government to resolve the issue. The ministers committee and other efforts are welcome. I strongly feel that the demands of Patels should not be ignored.’

On being asked whether the reservation should be caste based or on the basis of financial condition, the BJP MLA supported the one on caste basis. ‘ See, when our children with 80 to 90 percent marks don’t get admission or jobs the others with only 40 percent are selected. Patels must get reservation,’ he said.

The statement of Mr. Kotadiya has come hours after the assertions of the BJP state president Mr. R C Faldu who on the contrary had supported reservation on economic grounds only.

DeshGujarat