Ahmedabad: As Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel's hunger strike entered the 12th day, the Congress Wednesday endorsed his demands for farm loan waiver and accused the BJP government in Gujarat of neglecting farmers.
A war of words broke out between the BJP and the Congress following Congress in-charge for Gujarat Rajiv Satav's visit to Hardik Patel, who is on an indefinite fast since August 25 at his house near here.
Satav endorsed Hardik Patel's demand for farm loan waiver and alleged that the BJP does not care about farmers.
"BJP never talks about farmers and their issues. It only remembers them during elections and forgets them afterwards. The state government must discuss the issues raised by Hardik," he said after meeting the agitating leader.
"Since the BJP government has not taken any initiative to persuade Hardik to end his fast, we will meet the CM to discuss the issue. The government has to bow down. If it dose not, we will mount pressure. We have sought time from the chief minister (Vijay Rupani) for a meeting," Satav said.