The chaos broke out hours after state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki addressed the media and said that all issues with PAAS were resolved in a "positive and cordial meeting."
The 77 candidates declared by Congress included two PAAS leaders - Lalit Vasoya from Dhoraji seat and Amit Thummar from Junagadh. Quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel, who was scheduled to give details of the reservation formula in Rajkot on Monday, cancelled all his programmes.
A group of PAAS members barged into the election campaign office of Congress candidate from Kamrej Nilesh Kumbhani in Yogi Chowk area and ransacked furniture and broke the windows. Congress workers had to escape from the spot to avoid getting injured.
Though there were objections against Kumbhani within Congress, the sudden protest by PAAS caught Congress unawares. Within few minutes, another group targeted office of Pappan alias Praful Togadiya — Congress candidate in Varachha — at 11.30 pm and had heated arguments with Congress workers. When stopped from going on the first floor, they also thrashed some party workers. Late in the night Congress replaced Togadiya by giving ticket to Dhiru Gajera.
PAAS members also ransacked the election office of Congress candidate from Majura Ashok Kothari at Ishwar Farm near Canal Road. Around 100 unidentified persons were booked for allegedly pelting stones at around 11.45 am and ransacking furniture when Congress leaders were discussing campaigning plans. The complaint was lodged by Congress leader Balwant Jain.
The protests continued on Monday morning with PAAS members protesting in the campaign rally of Congress candidate from Karanj seat Bhavesh Rabari, .
"Congress leaders whose offices have been targeted have not submitted any complaint so far and police have not registered any offence as of now. However, police have registered an informal report and necessary action will be taken," joint commissioner of police, Range I, Harikrishna Patel said.
Police have assured of security to Congress candidates at their offices.
In Ahmedabad, co-convener of PAAS and chief negotiator of quota talks Dinesh Bambhaniya said, "Congress announced tickets to PAAS members without consulting our core committee.
Sources said PAAS scaled down its demand of seven to nine seats after hard bargaining by Congress following Hardik's alleged sex-tapes scandal.
The development is considered significant ahead of polls as the alliance could allow Congress to tap into the resentment of Patidars whipped up by PAAS against BJP. Patidars constitute 14% of Gujarat population.
Sources said Congress has assured to provide six per cent quota for all non-reserved categories, including Patidars. It is neither OBC nor EBC (Economically Backward Classes) quota; strategy is to give reservation under a new category named 'backward among non-reserved communities', a PAAS leader said.
PAAS cleaned the Sardar Patel statue in Varachha after it was garlanded by BJP candidate from the constituency Kumar alias Kishore Kanani.
"Some incidents of violent protests have taken place in some parts of the city. The Congress leaders whose offices have been targeted have not submitted any complaint to the police so far and police did not register any offence as of now. However, police have registered an informal report and necessary action will be taken," the joint commissioner of police, Range I, said.
Police have assured Congress candidates of security at their offices.
by via Surat News, Latest Surat News Headlines & Live Updates - Times of India
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