'Don't need any mediator', says Hardik Patel distancing himself from Congress as he enters 13th day of his indefinite fast

Hardik Patel, who has entered the 13th day of his indefinite fast, has distanced himself from all the parties who are coming to his support against the Gujarat government. The leader of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti has hit out at Congress and other parties, stating he isn't asking for any kind of help from any party.

On Thursday, Congress came out in his support, with it's state President Amit Chavda and Paresh Dhanani ordering Vijay Rupani-led BJP government to conduct talks with Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti within 24 hours. Dhanani had gone to meet Hardik, and then he lead the delegation of Congress MLAs to meet governor OP Kohli, and gave an eight page memorandum, which had no mention of Patidar community or Hardik.

And now it seems, Hardik isn't pleased by their intervention, and has pulled himself away from the all the politics being played over his fast.

Expressing his displeasure, he posted a message on Twitter, which read, "I have not asked anyone to be a mediator for me. This is an agitation, protest and anyone can talk about the main issues of the protest. I respect all groups, and leaders of this society. I am a protestor and I am only concerned about the issues I have raised. Since the past three years , a lot of leaders have played the role of a mediator. 

Prior to this, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot had tweeted asking Hardik to stop his fast, while attacking the Gujarat government. His message read, "I urge Hardik Patel to end his fast. He should continue his struggle but he should withdraw his hunger strike because it doesn’t matter for BJP, they don’t even care. They are fascist people; they have no faith in democracy."

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray also supported the Patidar reservation movement leader, stating, "We support Hardik Patel. Gujarat government should not stretch this issue."

Rebel BJP leaders Shatrughan Sinha and Yashwant Sinha also met him, and Hardik was pleased by their presence.

Janta Dal Secular (JDS) chief HD Devegowda also threw his weight behind Hardik's actions. He wrote to PM Modi on Hardik Patel, urging the centre to follow his 1996 model of granting OBC status to Jatts in Rajasthan, asking for Patels to be given the same.

Hardik has been on fast since August 25, demanding the Gujarat government to provide reservation to Patidar committee under OBC quota, as well as asking them to waive of the loans of farmers in the state.