Hiral Dave is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Ahmedabad and covers developments in Gujarat. She has sixteen years of working in the field of journalism.
Articles by Hiral Dave
Gujarat elections: Congress looks to gain on Hardik’s PAAS
The group is highly active in areas dominated by Patidars, who account for 12% of Gujarat’s 60 million population and can influence results of over 60 of the182 seats.
Updated on Dec 03, 2017 07:59 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Gujarat elections: Don’t forgive BJP for atrocities on Patidars, says Hardik Patel
Speaking at the same venue from where Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani had addressed a section of Patidars on Tuesday, Hardik said the huge crowd “showed who was more popular”.
Updated on Nov 29, 2017 11:14 PM IST
Rajkot, Hindustan Times | Hiral Dave
As rallies across Gujarat keep CM Rupani away, wife Anjali holds fort in Rajkot
Vijay Rupani is fighting from the high-profile Rajkot West constituency, which was earlier held by Narendra Modi, and is aiming to continue the BJP’s unbroken 22-year-long ruling streak in the state.
Updated on Nov 28, 2017 10:13 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Rajkot | Hiral Dave, Ahmedabad
Rahul Gandhi says Centre delayed winter session to avoid questions on Rafale, Doklam
Gandhi in on a two-day tour of Gujarat. On Friday, he interacted with fishermen, Dalits, pharmaceutical industrialists, doctors and teachers at separate events.
Updated on Nov 24, 2017 10:40 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave and Niha Masih
Gujarat elections: JD(U) hits back at rebel Chhotu Vasava with another Vasava
MLA Chhotu Vasava is one of the state’s tallest tribal leaders and has won from Jhagadia seat five times.
Updated on Nov 23, 2017 08:33 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Hardik announces support for Congress after quota promise, BJP dismisses alliance
Hardik Patel’s support marks the success of the Congress’ efforts to stitch together a broad opposition alliance after protests by PAAS and rebels this week marred the release of the first list of candidates.
Updated on Nov 23, 2017 07:20 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Padmavati: Gujarat bans Deepika Padukone film, second state after MP
Ahead of polls, Gujarat has banned Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati. The film was banned in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh earlier this week.
Updated on Nov 22, 2017 11:28 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi/Ahmedabad | Smriti Kak Ramachandran and Hiral Dave, New Delhi
Gujarat elections: Hardik Patel says Congress has agreed to give Patidar community reservation
Gujarat assembly election 2017: Patidars make up around 12% of the state’s population and can influence the outcome in around 60 seats in a 182-member assembly.
Updated on Nov 22, 2017 04:51 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
‘Don’t ask me about quota’: Hardik Patel breaks silence but gives no details on Cong alliance for Gujarat elections
Hardik Patel put off the quota-related announcement for the second consecutive day on Tuesday after the Patidar body said it had reached an agreement with Congress
Updated on Nov 21, 2017 11:18 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Gujarat elections highlights: Hardik Patel’s Rajkot rally cancelled, cloud over alliance with Congress
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti workers vandalised Congress office after the party’s first list of candidates for the Gujarat elections was announced. Here are the live updates:
Updated on Nov 20, 2017 07:29 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave, Ahmedabad
The journey of Hardik Patel: How he left cricket to captain quota agitation team
A good orator, 24-year-old Hardik was active in student politics during his college days and it didn’t surprise many when he joined the Sardar Patel Group.
Updated on Nov 20, 2017 12:31 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
First, Congress and Patidars say quota deal sealed, then late-night clashes in Gujarat elections drama
On a busy Sunday ahead of the Gujarat elections, Patidars staged protest against the Congress, hours after the two sides claimed to have reached a quota agreement and the party released its first list.
Updated on Nov 20, 2017 10:54 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Gujarat elections: Two aides of Hardik Patel join BJP ahead of Patidar rally
Ketan Patel and Amrish Patel were conveners of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti.
Updated on Nov 18, 2017 10:27 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
What BJP’s first candidates list reveals about its Gujarat election plans
The BJP’s list of candidates for the upcoming Gujarat elections is devoid of any surprises and shows its confidence in its current leaders.
Updated on Nov 17, 2017 11:19 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad/New Delhi | Hiral Dave, Kumar Uttam and Aurangzeb Naqshbandi
Gujarat election: BJP, Congress slug it out to woo Surat traders
Winning over businessmen, who are mostly Patidars, is key for any party to dominate Gujarat’s Saurashtra region.
Updated on Nov 08, 2017 03:55 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Congress tried to disturb Patidars who’re BJP’s strongest supporters: Vijay Rupani
‘Hardik used to say he would not stop till the reservation demand is met. Has Congress given Patidars reservation? Then why is Hardik joining hands with them?,’ asks Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.
Updated on Nov 05, 2017 03:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Cows are taking centre stage in the coming Gujarat election
Gujarat has India’s toughest cow protection law that awards up to life in jail for slaughtering a cow.
Updated on Nov 05, 2017 02:50 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Gujarat elections: Jignesh Mevani meets Rahul Gandhi, says will work to defeat BJP
Jignesh Mevani says Rahul Gandhi has agreed to implement most of their 17 demands if the Congress comes to power after the Gujarat elections
Updated on Nov 03, 2017 10:00 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave and IANS, Ahmedabad:
Kaun jeetega Gujarat: Modi uses phone-a-friend lifeline to remember old connections
Modi made eight to 10 calls to people of Gujarat, the numbers were selected randomly. BJP sources said he will next interact with members of NAMO app.
Updated on Oct 30, 2017 11:59 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Congress offers EBC quota to Patidars as Hardik Patel issues Nov 3 ultimatum
The Congress’s latest stand on reservation is viewed as a balancing act between Patidars and Alpesh Thakor, a Dalit leader who recently joined the party and opposes OBC reservation to Patel’s community.
Updated on Oct 29, 2017 11:03 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
We will introduce EBC, not OBC for Patidars: Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki
Bharatsinh Solanki says the Congress believes in bringing everyone from Patidars to OBCs, SCs, STs together.
Published on Oct 28, 2017 10:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahemdabad | Hiral Dave
Gujarat: Compensation strategy pits Patidar groups against PAAS, but BJP not out of the woods yet
The affected families have ruled out the possibility of the monetary aid – coming after two long years – assuaging tempers raised by what they have termed as “police atrocities” against the community.
Updated on Oct 27, 2017 08:33 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Will support Congress in Gujarat, says Patidar leader Hardik Patel
Patidar leader Hardik Patel told Hindustan Times he was assured by senior Congress leaders of support for the community’s demand for OBC status – guaranteeing quotas in jobs and education.
Updated on Oct 27, 2017 08:29 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Gujarat election: BJP banks on PM Narendra Modi’s appeal to ride past protests
Every BJP banner or pamphlet features Prime Minister Narendra Modi prominently and he has travelled to his home state Gujarat at least 10 times in the past one year.
Updated on Oct 27, 2017 08:33 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Gujarat elections: How caste has emerged as key factor in the high-stakes battle
Both the parties are locked in a fight to attract influential castes, many of have been staunch supporters of the BJP but have become disenchanted with the party’s 22-year-long rule.
Updated on Oct 26, 2017 09:04 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave, Ahmedabad
BJP may field new candidates, Cong likely to repeat sitting MLAs in Gujarat polls
The BJP is holding a six-day state-level parliamentary board meeting that will conclude on Thursday, and senior Congress leaders left for Delhi to prepare the list of candidates.
Updated on Oct 25, 2017 10:43 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Patidar protests to business anger at GST: 5 issues that matter in Gujarat polls
The Congress party has hooked its attack on the Centre’s economic policies as the BJP grapples with discontent over GST ahead of the Gujarat assembly election.
Updated on Oct 25, 2017 07:03 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave
Gabbar Singh Tax vs Dramebaaz Party: Cong, BJP trade barbs before Gujarat poll
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s twin rallies in poll-bound Gujarat, Congress vice president addressed party workers in Gandhinagar, where he attacked the government over the economy.
Updated on Oct 24, 2017 09:45 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Gandhinagar | Hiral Dave
Gujarat election will be battle between development and dynasty politics: Modi attacks Cong on home turf
Modi hailed BJP president Amit Shah as the “man of the match” of 2014 elections whereas Rahul Gandhi had personally targeted Shah over the controversy surrounding his son’s company.
Updated on Oct 16, 2017 11:38 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave, Ahmedabad
Modi in Gandhinagar : Congress and the ‘family’ do not spare opportunity to destroy Gujarat, says PM
Chief minister Vijay Rupani, BJP national president Amit Shah and many other leaders of the party will be present.
Updated on Oct 16, 2017 06:01 PM IST
Ahmedabad | Hiral Dave