In an exclusive interview to TOI, quota warrior

tells

Ashish Chauhan

that he is proud of his success in bruising BJP’s ego.

Excerpts:

How do you see the election results?

BJP has suffered serious setbacks in rural areas but urban areas remained loyal to it despite your campaign. What went wrong?

On the eve of polling, you’d tweeted about possible EVM tampering in 18 seats. But some of those seats, including Radhanpur, were won by Congress.

You’ve the option of approaching EC if you are so sure of EVM tampering.

Rajasthan and MP go to polls next year. Your plan?

2017 polls were fought on caste Vs development, but ‘vikas’ won BJP 99 seats.

Agitationists Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani are now MLAs. Will they support you against BJP?

But recently you said some opportunist OBC leaders have opposed the Patidar demand for OBC quota. Were you hinting at Alpesh?

What binds Hardik, Alpesh and Jignesh? Who do you find more trustworthy between Jignesh and Alpesh?

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called you. What’s brewing?

Your sex-tapes went viral among other personal attacks. Did they mar your chances?

You too made personal attacks on Modi. A Congress leader called him “neech”. Did it go against you and Congress?

is now Congress president. How do you view his leadership?

Who do you want to see as PM in 2019? Modi or Rahul Gandhi?

Gujarat election results: EVM hacking led to BJP win, says Hardik Patel

I am satisfied as due to my hard work, the Congress , which was serving as an extremely weak opposition for the last 25 years, has now become strong. I take pride that I was successful in demolishing the ego of a party that said it would win 150 seats in Gujarat.BJP has been wiped out in most rural areas especially in Saurashtra . In cities too, the victory margin of BJP has shrunk. This shows that the agitation has eaten into their support base. But more effort is required from our side, which we will put in. I firmly believe that BJP won 10 to 12 seats by EVM tampering. If BJP is confident, counting of VVPAT trail should be allowed.We should not isolate Radhanpur seat won by Alpesh Thakor. I named many seats in Surat, Rajkot and particularly seats of Dabhoi and Dahod. After my warning, tampering was done skilfully to keep to a majority of 99 seats. Otherwise, they would have won 125 seats backed by EVM rigging.I will soon file a petition in the high court. I didn’t approach the EC as it would be meaningless, and as EC is not trustworthy. This is the reason why I have urged all political parties to unite and insist that 2019 polls are not conducted through EVMs but through ballot paper.I’ll campaign against BJP in both the states and expose anti-poor policies of BJP government. I will not rest until 2019 Lok Sabha polls.Development was missing as BJP’s poll plank. Even PM Narendra Modi had to refer to Khilji, Aurangzeb and Pakistan to stoke communal sentiments. People in rural areas did not respond as they want ‘roti, kapda aur makan’. But polarization still seems to work in urban areas.We are in constant touch and will jointly raise issues of quota, unemployment, minimum support price for farmers and other issues. We have plans for a national agitation to highlight the plight of farmers and unemployed youths.I was referring to opposition by any and all OBC leaders against the Patidar demand for OBC quota. It was not meant for Alpesh.We three are fighting for issues plaguing the common man. I trust Jignesh Mevani more as I like him and his leadership style.Her’s was a courtesy call related to elections. I have personal and political relations with many CMs including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.People are mature and sufficiently aware not to allow such tactics to influence poll politics.It’s a myth that such utterances created sympathy for him. The PM has his followers as I have my supporters. Personal comments do not make any impact in polls.Rahul Gandhi has improved vastly as a leader, who is trustworthy and does not spew lies. People will definitely accept him in coming years.Anyone but Modi.