Stepping up its attack on Narendra Modi as his fast entered the second day, Congress on Sunday said the ‘sham and drama’ have resulted in wastage of over Rs.100 crores and also spoiled the 'sadhbhavana' within the NDA.
"Modi's current sham and drama have led to wastage of money to the tune of Rs 100 crores of the hardworking Gujaratis. Moreover, it has also spoiled the internal bonhomie within BJP and sadbhavana within NDA," AICC General Secretary in-charge for Gujarat Mohan Prakash told the media.
Referring to statement of Sharad Yadav on the issue, which gave the impression that JD (U) was distancing itself from Modi's fast, Prakash said, "Yadav is not only the president of JD (U) but also the NDA convenor. If convenor of NDA is giving such a statement, it means the alliance has begun cracking up."
"This very act of Modi has not only disturbed a chemistry within BJP but also within NDA," he said.
On Saturday, Yadav had dismissed the publicity surrounding the fast. "Seventy to eighty per cent of people make a living at Rs 20 a day. 80 per cent people fast daily. The majroity of people of the country fast regularly whether they do it for half day or full day. Nobody talks about them but fasts by individuals are discussed," Yadav had said.
JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had made sure that Modi did was not part of the election campaign in his state.
Congress had said on Saturday that Kumar did not allow Modi to come to Bihar during elections and was even ready to break from the alliance on the issue.
Describing Modi's fast as ‘diversionary tactic’, Prakash said that Gujarat Chief Minister was resorting to this action to deflect attention from the CAG report, which has pointed out irregularities of more than Rs 26,000 crore and the issue of Lokayukta in the state, which has ‘tied BJP in knots’.
"Modi's words have lost credibility and hence whatever his speech makes no sense. People of Gujarat don't trust his words and have realized his true face. That is why the expected crowd is not there despite all arrangements including air condition comfort," he said.
He, however, said that the people on the contrary are gathering in large number outside Sabarmati Ashram and participating in the Congress programme.