Theft of 1,500-year old idol from Jain temple in Umta village of Mehsana district last week has gained political dimensions, with the Congress demanding resignation of Gujarat Minister of State (MoS) for Home Praful Patel, who hails from the same village.

"Even eight days after the antique idol was stolen, there is no clue about who stole it. The investigation is moving at a snail's pace," Congress MP from Patan Jadish Thakore said on Sunday. He said that Congress has decided to take out a rally on February 28, demanding the resignation of Patel.

"He (Patel) himself belongs to Umta village, but did not take pain to visit the place after the incident," Thakore said.

Countering the Congress allegation, Mehsana district BJP president Rishikesh Patel, who is also an MLA from Visnagar in Mehsana said, "Congress has formed a habit of finding fuel even from sorrow and anguish of the people, in order to bake their breads."

Meanwhile, Moniji Nirbhay Sagar of the Jain temple, whose fast-unto-death, to protest the theft of the ancient idol, entered the 8th day today, said that chief minister Narendra Modi has assured him early recovery of the stolen idol.

"Until the idol is recovered and restored at its place I will not take solid food," Moniji said.

"I have given up milk, juice and gradually I will abandon the liquid water and finally life," he added.

The 1,500-year old 'Chakreshwari Mataji' Marble Idol estimated over Rs one crore was stolen from Digambar Jain temple at Umta Jain temple in Mehsana district Sunday last.