Congress’ fast in Gujarat enters second day

Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela with his supporters during the second day of his three-day fast in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The counter fast of Gujarat Congress leaders Shankersinh Vaghela and Arjun Modhvadia against Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s 72-hour ‘Sadbhavana Mission’, entered the second day on Sunday.

The Congress leaders, who have dubbed Mr. Modi’s fast as “five star” for being held in an air-conditioned hall, are observing their fast on the footpath in front of Sabarmati Ashram.

“We have taken the common man and party workers along with us in this fast. It is unlike the five-star fast of the Gujarat Chief Minister where several crores of public money has been spent on the arrangements draining state exchequer,” Mr. Vaghela said.

“The way they have spent several crores on the fast using the state machinery to organise it... we are sitting here to expose the black side of BJP government before the people of Gujarat,” he said.

The two Congress leaders spent the night on a cot, covered by a mosquito net, placed on the footpath.

An air-conditioned van, equipped with modern amenities and a toilet, has also been stationed at the venue.

Meanwhile, families of 23 thalassemic children, who recently tested HIV positive at Junagadh Civil Hospital in Gujarat, arrived at the fast venue of Congress leaders and apprised them about their problems.

Besides, families of a few slum-dwellers, who lost their homes and are yet to find an alternate accommodation, also met the two Congress leaders.