Narendra Modi start three-day Sadbhavana fasts from today

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, celebrating his 61st birthday on today, will begin his three-day Sadbhavana fast in a shortwhile from now to promote “peace, harmony and unity” in the state. Modi, who will fast at Convocation Hall of Gujarat University, has reached the venue.

“I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony,” the chief minister said.

"The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end," Modi said in a letter to the people of Gujurat.

Modi announced his move to sit on fast after the Supreme Court earlier this week refused to pass any order on the alleged inaction of the Gujarat CM to contain the 2002 communal riots which followed the Godhra carnage and referred the matter back to the trial court in Ahmedabad.

On the eve of his three-day fast, Modi expressed confidence that his mission would lend further strength to the nation's unity in diversity. He expressed sadness for the life lost in the Gujarat riots.

"India and Gujarat have realised 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," he said in an official release.

"Gujarat has come out of those dark days and is progressing on the path of development. The later atmosphere of peace, unity, harmony and brotherhood has fuelled the growth of Gujarat,” the release added.

The fast is poised to be a grand affair with the state government making all arrangements, including putting in place five-tier security, for the event that will see the BJP top brass attending the event.

A galaxy of BJP leaders, including senior party leader LK Advani, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Premkumar Dhumal, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, BJP national vice-presidents Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Kalraj Mishra, general secretaries Vijay Goel, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Rajiv Pratap Rudi and Mahila Morcha president and MP Smriti Irani among others, are attending the grand political event.

AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has dispatched two emissaries -- M Thambidurai and V Maitreyan -- to extend her support to Modi’s fast.

Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal Prakash Singh Badal will be personally present on the first day of the fast.

It has become a fast-versus-fast affair in Gujarat. Prior to Modi beginning his fast, senior Congress leader Shankarsingh Vaghela, surrounded by Congressmen in Gandhi caps, launched his parallel fast at the Gandhi Ashram to counter that of the Gujarat CM.