Thaindian News

Ahmedabad, Sep 17 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi began his three-day ’sadbhavana’ (goodwill) fast Saturday by heaping praises on the state for its inclusive growth and communal harmony, and saying the day is not far when the country and the world will discuss it as a model state.

“My fast is not against anyone…that was, is and will never be my agenda. Just like the world praises Gujarat’s model for development and governance, that day is not far when people will discuss our model for inclusive growth and communal harmony,” Modi said.

“I can say with pride that we want to move ahead and give something back to the nation. A state like Gujarat can pull another state which is not so developed. We have the strength and the capability,” Modi told the cheering crowd at the Gujarat University’s plush convention hall here.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani, who was also present at the event, said: “No other state in the country can pride itself of 11 percent growth. No other state has done so much against corruption like Gujarat”.

Recounting the Gujarat earthquake of 2001, the communal violence of 2002 and the serial blasts of 2008, Modi, who turned 61 Saturday, said that each time the people have emerged stronger and have touched new heights of development.

“In 2002, we were stuck with communal violence. People were thirsty for each other’s blood. Innocent lives were lost. To normalise the tense situation, we used all our might. At that time, I had said in any civilised society such a thing should not happen, but everyone cursed and maligned us. No one supported us,” Modi said.

“People said Gujarat was finished, and that investors will not come here. But we crossed that hurdle and developed by leaps and bound,” he added.

“When terrorists struck Akshardham, again people said that Gujarat was finished and will be divided. But we gave then an example of peace and unity,” Modi said, adding that the scene was very different in the 90s when robbery, loot, curfews and communal violence were “very common”.

While he did not name any person or political party, Modi spoke out against vote-bank politics.

“In the name of secularism, vote bank politics is practiced. People are pitted against each other and this tradition has been seen by India for 60 years and we have all suffered,” he said.

“In this context, I can say that just like the world praises Gujarat’s model for successful development, people will also discuss it as a model of communal harmony and inclusive growth,” he said.

Modi said that the beginning of his fast just happened to coincide with his birthday. “I have never celebrated my birthday. But because it was a convenient day and Navratra is to begin soon, I chose this day,” he said.

He went on to say that he chose the path of fasting to “reach across to people” because he felt this was a stronger medium than just his words.

“I realised that if I fast, the strength of my words will be more. The mission is to unite, not divide. Gujarat is my family, the six crore Gujaratis’ happiness and grief, dreams and aspirations is mine,” he said.

A galaxy of BJP leaders, including Advani, the party’s Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal were present at the event.