Hardik Patel continues fast for quota from hospital bed

Patidar leader Hardik Patel's indefinite fast for reservation for his community and farm loan waiver entered 15th day Saturday as he continued his agitation from a hospital bed.

Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and former Union minister A Raja visited Patel at the hospital and extended support to him.

Hardik, who is on a hunger strike from August 25, was admitted to a hospital Friday after his health deteriorated.

"...Sharad Yadav-ji came to meet me in the hospital. He has supported my fight for social justice and farmers' right. Quite impressed by him," Hardik tweeted.

He also tweeted a photo of Raja arriving at the hospital and said the DMK has declared support for him.

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) spokesperson Manoj Panara said that Hardik's fast continues.

"He has not eaten anything but has only had water. Our fight will continue until all our demands are met," Panara said.

After meeting Hardik, Yadav said he advised him to start taking food.

"I told him that his fight requires him to have strength. So he should start intake of food and water," Yadav told reporters.

Hardik was first shifted to the Sola Civil Hospital by his supporters Friday as his health deteriorated, and later to the privately-run SGVP Holistic Hospital.

At the Sola Civil Hospital, he was administered glucose. The hospital had said in a release that his vital parameters were normal.

Hardik launched his indefinite fast on August 25 from his house here, demanding reservations in government jobs and education for the Patidars and loan waiver for farmers.

Later, he added another demand that his close aide Alpesh Kathiria, who was recently arrested in a 2015 sedition case by the Ahmedabad police, be released.

The BJP government in Gujarat said Friday that it was open to talks with everybody, while his supporters claimed that it had not reached out to Hardik for talks so far.