KOLKATA, Dec 29: An opposition leader in eastern India ended her 25-day fast against a car project early on Friday after the country’s prime minister and president asked her to call off the hunger strike.
The outspoken Mamata Banerjee, who heads the opposition Trinamool Party in communist-ruled West Bengal state, had been fasting to protest the government’s move to sell farmland to Indian auto giant Tata Motors for a factory.
“I am calling off the fast at their request. I hope they will do justice to our cause,” said Banerjee, before leaving for a nursing home in the state capital Kolkata, citing a pledge by the Indian premier to address her concerns.
Activists and landowners say the government has acquired prime fertile land for the $220 million plant in Singur, 40 kilometres north of Kolkata, where production is slated to begin in 2007.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a written appeal to Banerjee to accept state chief minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee’s offer to meet for talks and end her fast.
“I believe that the chief minister has written to you today expressing his readiness for a dialogue on all outstanding issues. I, therefore, appeal to you end your fast,” said Singh in his letter.
President Abdul Kalam also wrote to Banerjee on Thursday to express his concern.—AFP
