OBC quota: No progress in 1st meet of Patel leaders, Guj govt

The first meeting between the Gujarat government and the leaders of Patel community which is seeking reservations under the OBC category today failed to achieve any breakthrough.
After the meeting with a 7-member committee of Gujarat government headed by Health Minister Nitin Patel, spokesperson of Sardar Patel Group (SPG), P C Patel, said it was fruitless.
"We told the government that our one and only demand is that Patels must be included under OBC quota. We will not settle for anything less. But the government didn't give any assurance today," he said at a press conference.
"They (the committee) promised us scholarships, financial assistance. They also promised to form a commission to ensure our development. But we refused these offers.

"The committee members told us that they will put forward the issue before the Chief Minister and then call us once again for a meeting. But no specific date was given. We said our agitation will not stop till our demands are met," he said.
Lalji Patel, another SPG leader, said Patel leaders will form an umbrella committee of 125 members.
"We will form a committee of 125 members who will represent all the small groups and committees. It will decide our future roadmap...We will not back down till we get reservations," said Lalji Patel.
Nitin Patel said such issues couldn't be resolved in a single meeting.