I am the next Sardar Patel, says Hardik Patel

Hardik Patel, the 22-year-old Patel leader under whose leadership the Patel community in Gujarat pushed the state to the brink last week, has justified his demand for reservation for his community. In an exclusive interview with India Today's Rahul Kanwal, Hardik claimed that he has no political links and that he does not want to fight elections.

Modi's Gujarat model a failure

During the interview, Hardik chose his words cautiously to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The young leader, however, said that Modi's much talked about Gujarat model failed to work for the poor. "Those were rich became richer and poor became poorer. I haven't seen any Gujarat model, I have come from village. I didn't see any development in my village. I don't even remember who I voted for."

People call me Sardar Hardik

While stating that leaders like Sardar Patel and Bal Thackeray have been his idol, the Patel leader said," I like it when people call me Sardar Hardik. I want to be the modern Patel. Not a pretender." Taking a dig at Prime Minister Modi's ambitious Statue of Unity project which includes erecting a 182-metre high statue of Sardar Patel, Hardik said, " I want to be the real thing. Not a statue."

Kejriwal has failed

Hardik Patel aims to be a leader who has the combination of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's firepower and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's vision. However, during the interview he was critical of Kejriwal's ability to bring in the change he had promised."Arvind Kejriwal talked big but he hasn't been able to bring about any change. He has failed as Delhi CM," Hardik said.

Hardik also vehemently rejected charges of Patels indulging in violence following his rally in Ahmedabad last week. He blamed the police for the violence across the state.

Politicians should retire at 58

He also advised political leaders to retire at the age of 58 to make room for young netas. "I want young people to run the country. Whether the person is from Bihar, UP, Delhi or Rajasthan, that doesn't matter."

Replying to a question, Hardik said," For me the caste is important while voting. I have voted once and as far as I remember I voted for a Patel. The candidate should be good and of my community."

"If some policemen enter our house and say 'send your mother and sister in you want quota', we won't think twice before chopping off their hands. Police is for protecting the people of the society and not to make such remarks," the firebrand leader added.

US-type gun laws needed in India

Advocating that India should also have US-type gun laws, Hardik said, " If it was allowed to keep an AK-47, I would have kept it for defence. Such type of law should be there in a country like ours where there so much crime."

Hardik has galvanised the dominant Patel community in Gujarat on the reservation demand. The B.Com. graduate had brought Ahmedabad to a standstill on August 25 with a massive show of support that took a violent turn following his brief detention by police. In subsequent violence, 10 persons were killed and many injured, prompting authorities to clamp curfew in parts of the city.