Kota President Hardik Patel hints at contesting elections after Supreme Court stays verdict in Gujarat riots case

Gujarat Congress leader Hardik Patel on Tuesday said that his aim was not only to contest elections but also to serve the people after the Supreme Court stayed his sentence in the 2015 riots and arson case, leading to further delays for him. The way to contest the election was paved. Patel had led a campaign by the Patidar community in Gujarat in 2015 demanding reservation under the OBC category. Assembly elections are due in Gujarat in December this year.

He said, ‘My aim is not only to contest elections but also to serve the people of Gujarat with strength. Three years ago I was sentenced to two years in jail in a false case, but today the Supreme Court has stayed the sentence. Patel, working president of Congress in Gujarat, tweeted in Hindi, “I heartily thank the judiciary. Earlier in the day, a Supreme Court bench stayed Patel’s sentence in the rioting and arson case and said, “Keeping in view the facts and circumstances, we are of the view that the High Court has to stay the conviction. This is a fit case. The conviction is hereby stayed until the appeals are decided accordingly.”