RAJKOT: Sparks are likely to fly in Bhavnagar on Thursday after the local police refused permission for
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (
PAAS) to hold the 'Aakrosh
Rally
' against 'police excesses' during state BJP president Jitu Vaghani's felicitation function on September 11.
State junior home minister Pradipsinh Jadeja told TOI that permission for the rally was declined to maintain
law and order
in the town. Even as Jadeja warned of legal consequences if the rally was held, PAAS functionaries said they will go ahead with the scheduled programme. "We were quite sure that permission won't be granted as the rally is against police excesses. However, the programme will be held as scheduled. We were expecting around 50,000 people in the rally. But at least 20,000 will participate," Lalit Vasoya, PAAS convenor of
Saurashtra
region, told TOI.
PAAS claims that people from other communities like Kshatriyas and Brahmins would also join the rally. PAAS had sought permission to organize a rally from Nirmalnagar to the collector's office, passing through several areas of Bhavnagar.