Mamata ends fast over car factory

The outspoken Mamata Banerjee, who heads the opposition Trinamool Party in communist-ruled West Bengal state, had been fasting to protest the government's move to sell farmland to Indian auto giant Tata Motors for a factory.

"I am calling off the fast at their request. I hope they will do justice to our cause," said Banerjee, before leaving for a nursing home in the state capital Kolkata, citing a pledge by the Indian premier to address her concerns.

Activists and landowners say the government has acquired prime fertile land for the 220 million dollar plant in Singur, 40km north of state capital Kolkata, where production is slated to begin in 2007.