Ahmedabad: The supporters of jailed PAAS convener Alpesh Kathiria and those of former convener of the outfit and Congress leader Hardik Patel had clashed during an event in Gota area of the city.
Supporters of Kathiria were angry that in the Sneh Milan (Get together) event of PAAS in the Prasang party plot here, pictures of their leader was missing from the banner. There was only Hardik’s picture on them.

When Kathiria’s supporters, many of whom had come from his home city of Surat, tried to tear and pull down the banner, Hardik’s supporters stopped them and a minor clash ensued.

They started shouting Hardik Hai, Hai and Congress Hai Hai (Down with Hardik and Congress).

Police also arrived at the scene.
Hardik Patel who was also present in the event said that he could come to attend the meet only because he was in Congress.

PAAS leader Dinesh Bambhania said that the outfit members felt that it was not their event but was that of Hardik and Congress alone.

‘Since Hardik has joined Congress for his selfish motives, many PAAS workers were angry. He always claimed that he would not join any political party and continue to fight for the community but he joined hands with Congress. Now it was natural that he was facing the ire of the community,’ he said.

SPG leader Lalji Patel said that people were angry with Hardik as he has joined Congress without taking the community in to confidence. It was the community which had made him a leader and he ditched the community when he joined congress. He will have to face the anger the community.

Notably, the meeting today was held to discuss among other things the next course of action for the release of jailed Kathiria who was arrested after cancellation of his bail in sedition case.