Gandhinagar: Sardar Patel Group (SPG) leader Lalji Patel today met Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, state BJP president Vijay Rupani and Health Minister Nitin Patel in the state secretariat here and requested them to continue the 10 % quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the non-reserved category saying it was beneficial for all such people including the Patidar community.

Mr. Patel,who was released from jail on on June 25 after getting conditional bail in the case pertaining to violence during the jail bharo campaign in Mahesana on April 17, later told newsmen here that he had a meeting with the three leaders in the swarnim sankul.

‘I first met Nitinbhai and Vijaybhai in Nitinbhai’s chamber then went on to meet the chief minister in her office. I raised the 29 points handed over as a list to the state government for resolution of quota stir on March 11 prior to the jail bharo agitation. I also told them that the 10 % quota to the EWS for which the state government issued an ordinance on May 1, was beneficial for the society and it should be taken care of that it was continued,’ he said adding that the people including those from Patidar community have started to take benefit from this arrangement.

‘I requested them that the quota arrangement should continue to which they assured that the government would move to the apex court if the need be to continue it,’ the SPG leader said.

He said that he also raised the points like release of other quota stir leaders and withdrawal of cases against them.

Notably, Nitin Patel is the chairman of the seven minister committee formed by chief minister last year to hold talks with the quota agitators. Mr Rupani on the other hand was instrumental in the announcement of 10 % quota of the EWS.

Lalji Patel was arrested on May 3 in connection with the April 17 violence during which mob of his supporters adamant to hold the jail bharo campaign in Mahesana despite denial of permission from the administration went on rampage burning several vehicles and other public properties and injuring several policemen. He had himself become injured by sustaining injury in his head during heavy stone pelting.

A court in Mahesana has granted him bail with seven riders including not to leave Gujarat and inform regarding any change in address and contact numbers.

DeshGujarat