Modi pulling a fast one: Cong

Party says Modi trying to wash away stains of his crime.

The Congress today attacked Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his fast,accusing him of wasting public money through his drama and said the NDA would collapse if Modi was projected as BJPs prime ministerial candidate. The party also said Modi wanted to wash away the stains of his past crimes through this fast.

Narendra Modi and BJP have been interpreting the Supreme Court order on Gulberg Society riot case as a victory. And hence it seems Modi is celebrating his victory by splurging the hard-earned money of 6 crore Gujaratis, said AICC general secretary in-charge for Gujarat Mohan Prakash.

A fast is always done individually and in a simple manner. It is done generally done for penance. Modi is polluting even the fast. He is celebrating his victory through this drama of fast, he said.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said it appeared that Modi had realised the crimes he committed in the past and hence wanted to wash away the stains of his crime by fasting. But the stains of not all crimes are washed away in this manner.

If Modi is projected as the prime ministerial candidate,it will be difficult for NDA to keep its flock together. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did not allow Modi to come to Bihar during elections, he said.

Meanwhile,in Ahmedabad,former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela,who began his three-day counter-fast on the footpaths of the Sabarmati Ashram with state party president Arjun Modhwadia today,questioned the need for Modis fast.

If Modi has gone on fast for promoting harmony,peace and unity in Gujarat,then it is not a new thing in Gujarat. It was always there in Gujarat and it is still there, said Vaghela,adding that if the CM still wanted to fast,he should have done so at his residence in Gandhinagar.

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Is it a fast or festival that national BJP leaders and NDA allies are coming to meet Modi, said Vaghela. The government machinery is being used and people are being brought in planes and luxury buses, he alleged,claiming that the state government was spending around Rs 55 crore for the event.

Who is benefitting from the fast? Nobody except Modi, said Vaghela. It is a corrupt government. If there is no corruption in Gujarat,then why are you opposing the appointment of Lokayukta? he added.

Speaking on the occasion,Modhwadia asked why Modi did not go on fast in 2002 when communal riots took place or when former BJP minister Haren Pandya was killed.