Time is running out cries Hardik Patel’s advocate

AHMEDABAD: While Hardik Patel’s advocates shouted in court that he is running out of time with the deadline for filing nominations looming, the state government on Tuesday got another adjournment, though for a day only, from Gujarat high court.

The Patidar leader who recently joined the Congress has been seeking a stay on his two-year conviction recorded in July last year by a Visnagar court for rioting and vandalizing the office of local BJP MLA Rushikesh Patel, during one of the first rallies taken out by Patidars under Hardik’s leadership, in 2015.

Patel made it clear that he has a chance to win in these elections, whose deadline for filing nominations is April 4. Since March 8, when he approached the HC seeking a stay on his conviction to become eligible to contest, his matter has witnessed four adjournments. The state government asked for adjournments twice to place material on record to oppose Patel’s application.

When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, the high court was told that the public prosecutor was busy in another court and would not be able to attend this case. A day’s adjournment was sought by the government, which has filed one more affidavit, telling the court how Patel had in the past allegedly lied to lower courts while seeking exemption from appearing.

Patel’s advocates waited till afternoon for the public prosecutor to attend the matter. When he did not turn up after the recess, they complained this was a delaying tactic by the government, because there would not be enough time left for their client to file his nomination. This will be Hardik Patel’s debut in electoral politics.

After Patel’s advocates reitereated their urgency with the

Lok Sabha elections

fast approaching, Justice Uraizee said that since the public prosecutor was occupied in an overnight part-heard matter, the hearing may be adjourned to March 27.