Hunger games

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a day-long fast today in a tit-for-tat protest against the opposition, whose leaders were caught feasting moments before they launched their own hunger strike.

The rival protests are part of growing showdown between Modi's ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its arch-rival Congress party ahead of a looming national election.

Both sides have suffered social media ridicule over their fasts. Congress organised a five-hour hunger strike on Monday in a pre-emptive move against a BJP plan for its fast today.

But the party was left red-faced after photos of senior leaders tucking into chickpea curry served with a savoury dough circulated on social media right before the fast.

Congress faced sarcastic comments on Twitter, while the BJP called their protest a "joke".

With Modi set to lead today's protest, the BJP has reportedly issued strict rules to its lawmakers, including a ban on eating at public places or being photographed noshing on treats before today.

It is also shooing away street food vendors from the protest venue in New Delhi, according to the Mail Today daily.