BJP had worked to counter the possible backlash from the Patidar quota agitation by wooing Backward communities such as Kolis, Prajapatis, Chaudharies, Bharwad and others which together are numerically sizable. If BJP does well in the north Gujarat and Saurashtra, it would mean Hardik Patel attracted big crowds but failed to convert them into votes for the Congress. If exit polls are correct, Patidars have stayed loyal to BJP despite the agitation for quota
