What did media say about satbhavana Fast By Narendra Modi?

Reuters

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/09/17/idINIndia-59398120110917

(Reuters) - Pro-business BJP leader Narendra Modi, who some think could be India's next prime minister, began a "harmony" fast on Saturday to soften his image as a hardliner blamed for religious riots that claimed hundreds of mostly Muslim victims nine years ago.

The fast is seen as a bid by Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat, and his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to launch him as a national leader as the government loses popularity over inflation and corruption scams.

Seizing the moment after the Supreme Court referred to a lower court a case in which Modi was accused of complicity in the 2002 violence, he is using the fast to depict himself as a conciliator with a strong record on the economy.

"In democracy, there is no place for any ill will or revenge," Modi, wearing a white turban, said from an air-conditioned hall in Ahmedabad where he will conduct his fast.

"My effort has been to take Gujarat forward. In terms of economic and overall progress, Gujarat has made giant strides," Modi said of his state which has seen 11 percent growth in recent years.

Hundreds of supporters, both Hindu and Muslim, sang religious slogans as he entered the hall, flanked by senior BJP members.

"It is for peace and communal harmony. Through my fast, I want to reach out to more people," said Modi in comments broadcast live on national television.

MAHARASHTRA TIMES : ' गुजरात दंगल व्हायला नको होती. मला त्यावेळी खरोखरच खूप यातना झाल्या आणि अजूनही ती सल मला बोचतच रहाते', असे मोदी म्हणाले.

INDIAN EXPRESS :

Narendra Modi fast-forwards, rewinds

The Hindu

Modi holds fast with eye on national political stageComing down heavily on his critics, who accused him and his government of “having a hand in the 2002 communal riots,” Mr. Modi said that for 10 years he and Gujarat people remained quiet on the charges, waiting for the appropriate authorities to reply. “For 10 years, we did not hit back, but collected all the stones and brickbats thrown at us and used them as the stepping stone to take Gujarat to the new heights of development.”

Times of India

Narendra Modi's fast: BJP rallies around him, Cong says he is 'wasting public money'

Launching his three-day 'sadbhavna' fast for peace, unity and harmony, chief minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Gujarat was his family and the day was not far off when the world would discuss it as a model state. Top BJP leaders, including LK Advani, attending the function, heaped praise on Modi's governance. Meanwhile, the Congress attacked Modi for his fast accusing him of "wasting" public money through his "drama" and said NDA would collapse if Modi was projected BJP's prime ministerial candidate. The party also said Modi wanted to wash away the "stains" of his past "crimes" through this fast.

Chants of Allahu akbar merged and reverberated with Sanskrit shlokas as Modi started the fast at 10.30am.Members of the Muslim community, many of whom were shouting slogans in support of the chief minister, were seen in large numbers at the venue. BJP stalwarts, including LK Advani, Arun Jaitley, Ravi Shanker Prasad, former BJP president Rajnath Singh and Mukhtar Abas Naqvi were also present. Rajya Sabha member and TV star Smriti 'Tulsi' Irani added the glamour quotient. AIADMK leader M Thambidurai, leader in the Lok Sabha and his counterpart at the Rajya Sabha V Maitreyan were also present.Apart from office bearers of the BJP, chief minister from Punjab Prakash Singh Badal, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal flew into the city.On the eve of the fast, Modi had issued a statement which was interpreted as his first sign of regret over the 2002 post-Godhra communal violence. "Constitution of India is supreme for us. As a chief minister of the state, pain of anybody is my pain. Justice to everyone is the duty of the state," Modi had said on Friday.On Saturday, in his speech, Modi claimed that his government had tried to bring normalcy in the state in 2002. "Innocent people were killed, atmosphere was tense and emotions were running high. The wounds were deep and people said that Gujarat cannot develop now. But people have forgotten the past and development is now the mantra," he said.He began his speech with a reference to the earthquake in 2001 and then went on to talk about the 2002 riots, the Akshardham attack and even the 2008 blasts in Ahmedabad and added that each time the state rose from the ashes.Choosing not to directly attack the Congress, Modi said critics had been hurling stones at him and he took them in his stride to save the people of Gujarat. "I gathered these stones and used them to make a ladder of the development for the state."

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