As the state government did not announce any relief package for flood-hit Amreli district within the deadline he had set, Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani started his fast-unto-death as he had announced earlier, in Amreli on Thursday. Dhanani, who is MLA from Amreli, started his hunger strike at a samiana set up in Jivraj Mehta Chowk of Amreli on Thursday morning as state government did not declare any relief package for the district by the deadline of Wednesday he had set. The fast-unto-death follows his token fast for three days which he had observed from Monday to Wednesday to "warn" the government and press for his demand of a relief package. [related-post] "People of Amreli hit by flash floods of June 24 are in distress but it is deeply painful that the government is in deep slumber. I have written eight letters to Chief Minister demanding relief for the flood-victims. However, there is no response from the CM so far for any of those letters nor has any minister or government has visited people agitating with us till date and enquired about their situation," Dhanani told The Indian Express. Zaver Rangholiya, secretary of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee and Nandalal Bhadkan of Amreli District Farmers Rights Protection Committee also started their indefinite hunger strike alongside Dhanani on Thursday. Hundreds of flood-affected people and local Congress leaders were observing token fast with the Congress MLA. Dhanani, who is also secretary of All India Congress Commitee, warned that if the government did come up with relief package for Amreli by July 11, his party will launch agitation in other districts of Saurashtra. "There were reports of a lion and a buffalo saving their lives by confining themselves in a shed in a village of Liliya taluka of the district during the flash floods. Animals can come together in time of distress. But I am surprised that human beings, who are most intelligent are not relating to the pain of fellow-human-beings," the MLA said while taking a dig at the government. Jayanti Kavadiya, Minister of State for Rural Development and who is minister in-charge of Amreli said the fasting MLA should do soul-searching. "He should think over the remarkable job government has done in rescue and relief work. We restored road-connectivity and power lines within 48 hours. Declaring relief package is a matter of discussion and consultation. Survey is on. Representatives of the district have met the special committee of ministers set up for this purpose and relief package will be announced at appropriate time. But timeline cannot be given," said Kavadiya. Water Supply Minister Vijay Rupani, who had supervised relief and rescue operation in Amreli and Bhavnagar after the districts were flooded following very heavy rain, said the government had done swift work. "Paresh Dhanani is playing politics over the issue. Entire world knows we brought Amreli up on its feet within days of the flood by swift rescue and relief work. Presently, survey of damage caused by the flood is on. The state government will send the survey report to Union government and then a relief package can be declared," said Rupani. However, the minister said he could not give any date for declaring relief package. "That can be done by Chief Minister only," added Rupani. The MLA, on the other refuted the charge that he was playing politics on the issue. "I am fighting for people in distress. I invite my friends from the BJP to join the fight and I am ready to give up the banner of Congress for this cause," said Dhanani. Some parts of Amreli had received 20 to 26 inches of rain within few hours on June 24 leading to flash floods in the district. Vadiya, Amreli, Liliya and Dhari talukas were worst affected. Though the administration has restored power and water supply lines to more than 300 villages affected by floods, about 3000 families are living in tents as their houses have been damaged. Agricultural land has been eroded and more than 5000 cattle have been killed, government officials say.
