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Solve Patel problem or quit: BJP to Guj CM Anandiben

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 14 February 2017, 5:32 IST

The recent local bodies elections in Gujarat which saw the Congress trounce the BJP has worried party leaders to such an extent that Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has been given an ultimatum: find a way out of the Patidar agitation within three months, or quit, reports The Economic Times.

The Patel community in Gujarat began agitating for reservations in government jobs seven months ago, and show no signs of ending their stir. The agitation is apparently affecting the BJP's political prospects in the very pro-BJP state. In the recent local bodies elections, the Congress won 23 out of 31 district panchayats, and 113 out of 193 taluka panchayats from the BJP.

"The feedback from Gujarat was very worrying. Even the most optimistic projections by our people in Gujarat have said that if things remain the same, it will be tough to remain in power during the assembly polls in 2017," said a BJP leader. "It won't be just an electoral set back. PM Narendra Modi is from Gujarat and it would give everyone a handle to beat Modi with. Gujarat just can't be lost."

The ultimatum has seen the Anandiben government change the pace of its talks with members of the Patel community. They are now urgent and frequent.



First published: 30 January 2016, 7:02 IST