Patel stir: OBC leader against quota, but open to fin package

In an indication of a possible class conflict in Gujarat where the stir by Patels for reservation is at its peak, a prominent OBC leader today opposed the community's demand for inclusion in the OBC quota but suggested that state government can offer financial package for poor members of Patel and other communities.
"We are not against financial package for poor people of Patel community. The state government can offer packages into crores of rupees for upliftment of people of any community," Alpesh Thakor, Convener of OBC Ekta Manch, told PTI today.
"But we will not allow the state government to include them (Patel community) in Other Backward Class (OBC)," Thakor said.

The 'OBC Ekta Manch' is an umbrella body of the 146 communities in Gujarat that was formed after Patels raised the demand for inclusion in the OBC fold.
The arrest of Patel quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel last night had triggered a clash in Ramol area of Ahmedabad between members of Patel and Rabari communities.
Hardik, who was released on bail last night, had said they will approach those who are opposing the Patels' stir in a bid to make them understand about the issue.

Earlier in the day, Thakor had expressed his willingness to share stage with Hardik if the latter sincerely wanted to work for reservation for poor people.

"If Hardik wants to meet us, then we will welcome him and I will tell him let us share stage and fight on the issue of poor people of all the communities," Thakor had said.
Addressing Hardik as his "younger brother", Thakor (38), president of Thakor Kshatriya Samaj, said he should have carried on the agitation peacefully and not by disturbing law and order in the state.
"I wish the agitation of Hardik had gone in the right direction," he had said.
The OBC and Patel communities have turned against each other in Gujarat following the Patel quota agitation. The OBCs have threatened that they will uproot the BJP government if Patels are given reservation.

The OBCs have also announced to organise a 'Pratikar Yatra' (counter rally) whenever Hardik takes out 'Ekta March' (from Dandi to Ahmedabad).
On alleged atrocities committed by police on Patels on August 25 during a rally and the community's demand for suspension of police personnel, Thakor said, "The government should do equal justice with regard to all the offenders, whether they are from police or from the Patel community.