Fernandes appeals to Medha Patkar to give up fast

Chennai, Apr 04: Janata Dal (United) National President George Fernandes today appealed to Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar to end her indefinite fast, launched to protest against raising the height of the Narmada dam in Gujarat.

'I can recommend to Ms Patkar to give up the fast and continue her fight,' he told newspersons after addressing a party meeting here.

'The government is not worth appealing to,' he said when asked if he would appeal to Gujarat government to concede Ms Patkar's demand.

Rejecting appeals from Union Ministers, including Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office Prithiviraj Chauhan to call off her fast, Ms Patkar has said the indefinite fast would continue till the Narmada Dam construction was halted.

Mr Fernandes expressed serious concern over the nuclear issue. He said US President George Bush had given all kinds of assurances, knowing full well the US Congress was not going to accept it. The Indian political and military establishments were also aware that Mr Bush could not deliver unless the Congress said yes, he added.

On Iran, he said that country had always been India's close friend and 'we should ensure no harm comes to Iran.' India should not bother what the US thought about Iran.

Mr Fernandes described as very dangerous images shown on the Google earth site. 'Whatever Google shows, there is reason to worry about our national security. I will have to express my concern to the government on this.' He rejected a suggestion that the Yatras being undertaken by BJP leaders L K Advani and Rajnath Singh would trigger communal violence in the country. 'I don't think so,' he said.

UNI