Ahmedabad: Congress leaders led by former union minister Shankersinh Vaghela ended their 74-hour fast Tuesday, saying it had highlighted how the Narendra Modi government had betrayed the trust of the people of Gujarat.
Vaghela ended his fast on a pavement outside Sabarmati ashram here Tuesday by drinking lemon juice given by two Dalit girls.
"We fasted to draw the attention of the people of Gujarat to what was being done on their own soil by people elected by them to provide a neat and clean administration. Also as to how the ruling dispensation had betrayed their trust - and this purpose we have achieved," he added.
The fast was a protest against the corruption and maladministration of the Modi government and not a carnival for leaders like the government worthies, said Vaghela pointing out that "we could also have invited our party national top brass".
It was a reference to Modi's 'sadbhavana' fast which ended Monday.
Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modvadia and leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil, besides former state party chief Siddartha Patel and former deputy chief minister Narhari Amin, who had joined the fast, also said they would carry this message all over the state starting from Kutch Sep 29.
"We shall continue to work as a responsible opposition even as we endeavour to educate people on the misdeeds of the present government," Gohil said.
IANS
First Published: Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 09:33