Bhopal, Apr 30: Several workers of the opposition Congress today staged dharna in the state capital to expose the 'fast' being observed by BJP ministers saying it was a gimmick. The agitating Congress workers, led by former MLA PC Sharma, also submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking a detailed account of the financial assistance and foodgrains received from the centre.

Sharma said the day-long fast by BJP ministers of Madhya Pradesh against the Centre was a political stunt aimed at misleading the public to hide the misdeeds of the BJP government. He said the BJP government failed to utilise fully central assistance under various heads and also foodgrain quota as a result of which a portion of the assistance had been lapsed.

The Congress leader also questioned the propriety of Chouhan observing fast in an air-conditioned pandal.

Meanwhile, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Suresh Pachauri alleged that by observing hunger-strike the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues have hurt the sanctity of the high constitutional posts held by them.

Moreover, a person holding high constitutional posts and indulging in dharna-protests and strike shows an irresponsible attitude, he added.

The State chief gave away figures about the financial aid and other support that was being given time to time by the Centre to the State which forced the State Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues to observe the hunger strike.

`Fertilisers disappeared from Markfed godowns'

Meanwhile, in another press statement Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Manak Agrawal raised over the suspicion of 'sudden disappearance' of fertiliser from godowns of distribution agency - Markfed. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Manak alleged thousand tons of fertiliser have suddenly disappeared from the stores of Markfed.

He claimed so far incidence of sudden disappearance of fertiliser have been reported from few districts.

And when the total figures would be compiled, the figures of a multi-crore scam would come into light, he alleged.

Manak also took name of Minister of Co-operative Gopal Bhargav for his alleged involvement in the scam and criticised him being anti-farmer.