Manoj Tiwari ends fast after LG's assurance

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, who had gone on a hunger strike over alleged neglect of his constituency by the AAP government, today called off the fast after Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal told him that directions had been issued to expedite the developmental projects in the area.

Tiwari told PTI he had "ended his fast after the LG told him that the finance secretary and the PWD secretary have been directed to expedite the projects" in his constituency.

Baijal has also invited the Delhi BJP chief for a meeting tomorrow.

Six other BJP lawmakers were on hunger strike in their respective constituencies in Delhi. The fast was earlier scheduled to end at 4pm.

Chandni Chowk MP and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan sat on fast at Town Hall. He said the hunger strike has "exposed" the opposition parties who indulge in "negative" politics.

Senior BJP leaders and Union ministers including Suresh Prabhu, Smriti Irani, Vijay Goel, K J Alphons and Shahnawaz Hussain visited the "upwas" venues where the lawmakers were sitting on the fast along with local party leaders and workers.

Tiwari, who recently underwent a surgery to get stones removed from his kidney, was examined by a doctor at Shastri Park, the venue of the hunger strike.

"His blood pressure was a little more than the upper limit. On the advice of the doctor, he took a few sips of water. A large number of party leaders and locals have joined him in the fast," said party leader Neelkant Bakshi.

Tiwari said he was experiencing pain due to the surgery but added "my pain is nothing compared to the pain of people in my constituency".

The North East Delhi MP had announced his plans to sit on an indefinite hunger strike alleging that the Delhi government was not releasing development funds for his constituency.

"Funds should be immediately released for Shastri Park Loop and doubling of Seelampur flyover," he demanded.