Modi preaches before fast, says casteism and communal fanaticism serve nobody

Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad: A day ahead of his three-day 'sadbhavana' fast beginning Saturday, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that his mission would lend further strength to the nation's unity in diversity.

An official press release, issued on the eve of his three-day fast, stated that the chief minister has said that "India and Gujarat have realized that casteism and communal fanaticism does not serve anybody. Gujarat has risen over the distortions in society and national life to march on to the path of progress, peace, unity, harmony and brotherhood."

Modi said that the Constitution of India is supreme for him. "There could be no favourite, no foe of a state". As the chief minister, he said, "anybody's suffering is my suffering. Providing justice to all is the state's duty".

He wished for everybody's blessings "on this occasion to serve the people better."

"The 21st century did not begin well for Gujarat. In 2001, the devastating earthquake on our Republic day, took a very heavy toll. In the subsequent year, Gujarat became the victim of communal violence. We lost innocent lives, suffered devastation of property and endured lot of pain... However, Gujarat has come out of these difficulties and leapfrogged on the path of development," he added.

BJP top brass descend for Modi’s fast

A galaxy of BJP leaders will be present on the first day of Modi's fast.

Those who are arriving on the first day include senior party leader LK Advani, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Premkumar Dhumal, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, Karnataka minister S.A. Ramdas, BJP national vice-presidents Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Kalraj Mishra, general secretaries Vijay Goel, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Mahila Morcha President and MP Smriti Irani, among others.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha has sent her greetings for the success of the mission and her cabinet colleague Mantriyan and AIDMK MP Thambidurai will be present on the occasion.