A local court in Visanagar in Gujarat's Mehsana has issued a non-bailable warrant against Hardik Patel, Lalji Patel and some other Patidar leaders.

The warrant has been issued for vandalising BJP MLA Rishikesh Patel's office during Patidar Anamat Samiti's rally in Visnagar in July 2015.

In 2016, the same MLA's car was pelted with stones while passing through the ITI Circle in Mehsana's Visnagar city. Visnagar was one of the nerve-centres of the (Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) PAAS-led agitation for reservations for the Patel community then.

Incidentally, the warrant comes on a day when the Election Commission announced the schedule for Gujarat Assembly election 2017 .

So far, Patel has denied reports of him joining the Congress. However, he is seen to be hobnobbing with the opposition party.

HARDIK PATEL DENIED MEETING RAHUL

A few days ago, a leaked CCTV footage showed him coming out of a hotel in which Rahul Gandhi was staying in Ahmedabad. Despite the footage, Patel denied that he had met the Gandhi scion.

However, he has not denied his support for the Congress in the upcoming crucial elections.

In 2016, Patel had shot to fame for launching the Patidar quota agitation which had turned violent killing nine people. He was later arrested and exterminated. Earlier this year, he was allowed to come back to Gujarat.

Along with two other youth protestors - OBC icon Alpesh Thakor and Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani - Patel threatens to spoil the BJP's chances at the hustings.

HARDIK REACTS TO NON-BAILABLE WARRANT

Reacting to the non-bailable warrant, Hardik Patel said, "I had got bail in the same case. I trust the court. Today I couldn't attend the proceedings. They issued the NBW today when election dates were declared. I will appeal to the court to cancel it."

"If they arrest me, our movement will become more intense. There are lakhs of Hardiks with me in this movement. Our fight is for our rights and everyone should fight for their rights and against injustice. Jignesh, Alpesh and I are not indulging in politics. We are raising issues."

Who is agent of Congress - is it me or the whole Patidar community. BJP is not speaking clearly. I have met many top leaders openly but not Rahul Gandhi. Will meet him soon."

ON CCTV

"They have leaked my right to privacy. When this happens, we all must feel sad as it's against democratic values. BJP is doing all this. It's been behind several espionage activities. In that CCTV, you must have seen I changed my clothes. While going in, I was wearing a half shirt. When I came out, I had a full shirt. It's obvious that I was carrying my clothes in that bag."

ON POLL PREDICTIONS

When asked about losing his two aides - Reshma and Varun Patel, Hardik accused the BJP of having bought them. He refused to accept predictions of a BJP win in Gujarat election, saying they are always wrong. "This crowd is my strength and I want to fight for them as I am their agent", he said referring to his supporters.

(WITH INPUTS FROM MAYURESH GANAPATYE)

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | CCTV footage sparks rumours of secret Rahul Gandhi-Hardik Patel meeting