Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads ruling party fast in response to opposition’s hunger strike
Rival protests are part of a growing showdown between the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and its arch-rival ahead of a looming national election
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a day-long fast on Thursday in a tit-for-tat protest against the opposition, whose leaders were caught feasting moments before they launched their own hunger strike.
The rival protests are part of a growing showdown between Modi’s ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its arch-rival Congress party ahead of a looming national election.
Both sides have suffered social media ridicule over their fasts.
Congress organised a five-hour hunger strike on Monday in a pre-emptive move against a BJP plan for its fast on Thursday.
But the party was left red-faced after photos of senior leaders tucking into chickpea curry served with a savoury dough circulated on social media right before the fast.