Patidar Leader Hardik Patel Likely to Break his Indefinite Fast Soon

Ahmedabad: Firebrand Patidar agitation spearhead Hardik Patel is likely to break his fast in a day or two following the advice of veteran political leader and former Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav, according to sources close to Patel. Yadav, besides DMK stalwart A. Raja, was among those who called on fasting Patel in the hospital on Saturday.

On the insistence of Yadav, the 25-year-old Patel started taking water which he had stopped since Thursday evening after the deadline for the ultimatum issued by the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) to initiate talks expired without any response from the Gujarat Government. Patel has demanded debt waiver for the farmers, reservation benefits to the Patels and release of his PAAS co-convenor Alpesh Kathiriya being held under sedition charges.

Saturday was the 15th day of his indefinite fast which started on August 25 at his residence after the government refused him permission for a venue to stage his public protest. After meeting Hardik Patel, Yadav told reporters that he had advised him to give up fast and recover his health to “stay fit for a long drawn battle” against the BJP governments in the state and at the Centre. He advised him there was no meaning losing health by fasting when the farmers required a leader like him to stand up and fight for their cause. (IANS)