Hardik Patel ends fast again; no negotiation for Patel quota in sight

Quota spearhead Hardik Patel ended his indefinite fast Wednesday after 19 days, even as there were no talks between him and the Gujarat government over the leader's demands for reservation to Patidars and farm loan waiver.

Hardik broke the fast by having lemonade from the hands of Patidar community leaders Naresh Patel and CK Patel.

After ending his fast, the quota leader said, "The fight for quota for my community and farm loan waiver will continue".

Later, a demand for release of his aide Alpesh Katheria, who was arrested on charges of sedition, was also added.

The 25-year-old quota agitation leader was admitted to a hospital after his health deteriorated last Friday - the 14th day of his fast.

While he had started taking liquids and was administered glucose at the hospital, the Patidar leader claimed he did not take any solid food during the fast.

Later on Sunday, September 9, the Patidar leader drank water offered by Sharad Yadav, chief of Loktantrik Janata Dal party, at the hospital. After spending two days in hospital, he had returned to his house and continued the hunger strike.

On September 4, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Gujarat government had reacted to the agitation and claimed that Hardik's quota movement was a "politically-motivated" agitation with the backing of the Congress.

State Energy Minister Saurabh Patel had then said that the government's door were open for talks, but no negotiations were held.