Jamshedpur : Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader��Hardik Patel�on Saturday�said that he would lend support to Kurmis in getting ST Status. He was addressing media soon after his arrival here this evening for attending Karma festival organised by Kurmi Sena at Gopal Maidan in Bistupur.
He said that reservation should be based on caste basis and not on the basis of influence of the communities.�It is really unfortunate that the communities who have influence are getting reservation in our country. This has led to mass movement all over,� he said.��
Patel went on to inform that he is going to Purulia�tomorrow�for a rally of 10 lakh Kurmis from��Odisha and West Bengal. He will work to unite the people and fight for their rights. He noted that Patel Aandolan in Gujarat effect has started showing its impact in across the country.
It may be mentioned that Kurmi community alone constitutes 1.5 lakhs in the total population in the Jamshedpur constituency. The community has always been a potent political group in the State and a swing in its votes is capable of tilting the political balance. Jugsalai and Bahragora assembly constituencies have the largest concentration of Kurmi votes. The community is demanding ST status.�
Patel who is Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader also attacked Modi Government and said that under his rule rich were becoming richer and poor much poorer. He said that he will continue to fight despite pressure from the Government.
Patel said that he is going to launch a state-wide lollipop protest against the Gujarat government’s announcement of Rs 1000 crore Mukhyamantri Yuva Swalamban Yojna for economically backward general category students.
� We are going to protest at all talukas and villages by giving lollipops and chocolates to Patidars protesting the government’s package. Lollipop protests have already started in many parts of Gujarat,� informed Patel.