Modi running away from facts by fasting: Congress

The Congress on Monday dismissed as a 'sham' Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's fast and accused him of running away from facts which have confronted him over the years.

The party also made a veiled attack on the Anna Hazare-led civil society, saying while the Congress-led government at the Centre had shown "full commitment" to curb corruption "some people for their own vested interests have been trying to build up a climate against Congress and destabilise the government".

"Under the garb of the fast, Modi is trying to conceal the truth and run away from facts that have confronted him over the years," said Congress general secretary Hari Prasad.

"Modi and (senior BJP leader) L K Advani are nursing the dream of becoming the prime minister one day but neither want to feel apologetic about what they have done," he said.

Citing the examples of Gujarat riots and demolition of the Babri mosque, Hariprasad said "Are these the incidents they are feeling so proud about"?

Claiming "unprecedented" development had taken place in Haryana during Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's rule, of which Gurgaon alone was a shining example, Hariprasad said, "What does Gujarat have in comparison?

"Gujaratis have been successful entrepreneurs for decades. Modi has not waved any magic wand. He may say that industrialists speak highly of Gujarat. The fact remains that big corporate houses like Reliance for example have an investment of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in the state, Tatas have Rs 60,000 crore. Who will speak against the chief minister," he said.