The campaign by 74-year-old Anna Hazare has united millions of Indians, including its growing middle class, against a Congress party-led government that has been beset by corruption scandals in its second term, paralyzing policy making.

The activist said he would break his fast if parliament began discussing his anti-corruption proposals, including incorporating low-level civil servants into graft probes. Local TV said the government had agreed to some of Hazare’s demands.

“If there is unanimity among all parties on these conditions then I will think about ending my fast, but not my protest,” Anna Hazare told thousands of his supporters.

Political parties have united to ask Hazare to end the 10-day public fast that has drawn thousands of supporters to a muddy expanse of open ground in the capital, New Delhi, with increasing concerns about his health.

“He has become the embodiment of our people’s disgust and concern about tackling corruption,” Singh told parliament. “I applaud him, I salute him. His life is much too precious and therefore, I would like to urge Anna Hazare to end this fast.”

But Hazare had so far appeared steadfast in his hunger strike, despite growing criticism that he is holding an elected parliament hostage to his demands.

Singh proposed on Thursday that parliament debate Hazare’s bill as well as the government bill and a third piece of legislation on corruption to help forge a cross-party consensus.

Hazare was well enough to address crowds on Thursday. He has lost nearly 7 kg (15 lbs) since the start of his fast.

“I am sure I will not die until we get the Jan Lokpal (anti-corruption) bill ... I will keep fighting,” he said.

Hazare’s deteriorating health could force the government to decide on force-feeding him, a move that would risk sparking further protests against a fumbling government of elderly ministers widely seen as out of touch.

With key state elections due next year in the run-up to a general election in 2014, Singh is under pressure to end a crisis that has paralyzed policy making and parliament and added to his unpopularity amid high inflation and a run of corruption scandals.

Many of India’s fast-growing urban middle class have joined forces with Hazare to protest against a system that requires bribes for everything from driver’s licences to birth certificates and has allowed politicians and businessmen to cream off millions of dollars through shady deals.

Several scandals linked to the government, including a telecoms bribery scam that may have cost the state up to $39 billion in lost revenues, led to Hazare’s latest protest.