Fissures appeared among the Gujjar leaders following a group led by ex-MLA Attar Singh Bhadana formed a new body and gave a call to his community members to assemble on Monday in Karauli while Gujjar leader Col. K.S. Bainsla asked his supporters to gather at Panchna Dam under Karauli district on Tuesday.
Interestingly, both the groups warned of launching a fresh agitation if the government failed to accord five per cent separate quota for the community in government jobs.
The Gujjar groups suddenly became active while the OBC Commission headed by Justice I.S. Israni speeded up the work to examine and quantify the data in view of socio economic conditions of Gujjars as well some other caste groups. Mr Bhadana and former minister and Congress leader Hari Singh Mahuva lashed out at Col. Bainsla for misleading the community. During the previous BJP regime, Mr Bhadana supported the Gujjar agitation while he was serving as BJP MLA.
The BJP expelled him and he joined the Congress.
Mr Bhadana expressed anger over delay in the job quota for his community members. “Our community leaders are gathering on Monday at Kemla, under Karauli district, to chalk out the schedule for the agitation,” he said. “Ours will be peaceful movement,” he said.
“Bainsla bataye chief minister Ashok Gehlot se unki kya baat hui hai, kyonki wo kai baar Gehlot se mil chuke hai [Mr Baisnla should come out and tell the community about his talks with Gehlot as he has met the CM many times],” says Mr Bhadana.
On the other hand, Col. Bainsla had a meeting with his community members at Panchna in karauli district and said he was aware of his duty and commitment to achieve quota in government jobs.
Gujjar leader Col. Bainsla said Mr Bhadana and his fellow leaders have time till 4 September for reservation. “If they fail in meeting the demands in the given time frame, then he will lead the agitation,” he added.