One man is making headlines in Gujarat nowadays: Hardik Patel. Tens of thousands of people have turned out to listen to him in rallies and meetings he has organised across Gujarat.In almost two months, he has become a force to reckon with by galvanising his Patel community in its demand for reservation in government jobs and colleges under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
"If this government does not heed our demands, the lotus will not bloom in 2017," Patel warned Gujarat's BJP government on Tuesday when he addressed a gathering of his community in Ahmedabad. He also threatened to go on a hunger strike if chief minister Anandiben Patel does not consider their demands.
Patel, 22, has called a state-wide shutdown on Wednesday to press his demand. Right now parts of the state are tense after? overnight violence over the Patel community's demand.
Is Hardik Patel a game-changer in Gujarat politics? Can a 22-year-old man challenge established parties in the state? Vote and let us know.