Accusing Lalji Patel of being a "Congress agent" and "misguiding" the Patel community, around 20 leaders of SPG today met the CM in Gandhinagar and extended support to the saffron party ahead of the rural and semi-urban local bodies polls scheduled to take place on the coming Sunday.
SPG works closely with Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) to get reservation for Patel community under OBC quota.
Since the Patel quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel is behind bars on sedition charges, Lalji Patel has been leading the movement, vehemently urging his community members not to give votes to BJP.
However, around 20 SPG leaders from the Patel-dominated Kheda district today met Anandiben Patel in Gandhinagar and extended their support to BJP, which is being viewed as a major blow to Patel community's "anti-BJP movement".
Also Read
After the meeting, convener of Kheda SPG Tejas Patel lambasted Lalji Patel and accused him of supporting Congress.
"Lalji Patel is fooling Patels by asking them to vote for Congress. He is moving away from our Constitution. Thus, people like us have decided to meet the CM to tell her that Patel community will not be misguided by such attempts," Tejas added.
However, when contacted, Lalji Patel refused to recognise Tejas Patel and others as members of SPG.