Gordhan Zadafia begins 51-hour ‘Samvedna Upvaas’

On the day Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi addressed a mammoth gathering at Vastral in Ahmedabad to counter the alleged Congress-governor nexus, Mahagujarat Janata Party (MJP) leader Gordhan Zadafia kicked off a 51-hour 'Samvedna Upvas' in Gandhinagar demanding action on a host of issues. While he demanded that the Lok Ayukta appointed by the governor be allowed to probe the alleged scams, he also sought justice for Jagruti Pandya and the Vaghelas from Ranip. 

Zadafia started the fast on Sunday afternoon at Samvedna Chavni opposite Pathik Ashram in Gandhinagar.  The MJP leader said the appointment of Lok Ayukta was the main issue. "If Modi government is clean, it should allow Justice RA Mehta, who has been appointed as Lokayukta by the governor, to take charge of the post,'' he said.

Before going on fast, Zadafia visited the families of Dipesh and Abhishek who were found dead in mysterious circumstances near Asaram Ashram in July 2008. He sought justice for the Vaghelas, the parents of the two kids. 

He also said that Jagruti Pandya, wife of slain BJP leader Haren Pandya, be given justice. "The government should not oppose Jagruti Pandya's plea before the high court seeking reinvestigation into her husband's death case,'' Zadafia demanded.

Starting the fast with the blessings of priests, Zadafia also asked the government to take a decision on the issue of cow slaughter. He also challenged the proposed changes in the Bombay Public Trust Act "as it brings religious places under the purview of the Act".

Leaders like Nalin Bhatt, Suresh Mehta, Siddharth Parmar and Fakir Chauhan and saints were present with Zadafia. 

Warning the government to decide on these issues in next 51 hours, Zadafia said: "The government should take decisions on these issues by the time the fast ends, failing which we will start agitation across the state."