Narendra Modi fast-forwards,rewinds

Twenty first century did not begin well for Gujarat, Modi wrote in the letter released by the Gujarat Information Bureau. 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. One can visualize what all we have gone through.

Indian history,Modi wrote,is a witness that casteism and communalism have never done any good to society. This is also my own firm conviction. Gujarat,he said,has understood this and adopted the mantra of inclusive development.

My dear Brothers and Sisters! No state,society or individual can claim to be perfect. I am grateful to all those who pointed out my genuine mistakes during last 10 years. I seek your blessings to serve the people with devotion,free from all human shortcomings. As chief minister of the state,the pain of each and every citizen is my own pain.

Ensuring justice to all is the duty of the state, Modi wrote.

During my fast,I will continue to pray to the Almighty to give me strength so that I do not develop or retain any ill-feeling or bitterness towards those who defamed Gujarat or me by making false allegations. The mission of his Sadbhavna fast,Modi said,was unity,harmony and brotherhood.

As the state government immersed itself in logistics at the fast venue and BJP workers mobilised support across Gujarat,BJP patriarch L K Advani reproduced in his blog an article that said that the US is preparing for the return of the BJP to power with Narendra Modi as Prime Minister a signal that the idea was acceptable to him.

The timing of Advanis post on the eve of Modis fast is significant. Also significant was the fact that AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa decided today to send two representatives,V Maitreyan and M Thambidurai,to Ahmedabad in a show of solidarity with Modi.

Modi and Jayalalithaa share a good rapport. He had attended her swearing-in,and her decision today signals the growing bond between the AIAMDK and the BJP. NDA ally Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal is likely to be present in Ahmedabad on the first day of the fast.

In his blog,Advani mentioned the recent US Congressional report praising Modi and Gujarat. He quoted directly from the report that Modi had streamlined economic processes,removing red tape and curtailing corruption in ways that have made the state a key driver of national economic growth.

He then went on to reproduce an article from the online newspaper firstpost.com,focused on the alleged change in the US attitude towards Modi. A paragraph which said American lawmakers and the state department are being primed for the return of the BJP to power in New Delhi,with Modi at the helm as prime minister was in bold.

For the BJP,Modi has always been first among its chief ministers. Any achievement or praise of the Gujarat government or Modi has always been trumpeted sometimes attracting the displeasure of the partys other chief ministers but this is the first time in the recent past that Advani or any other top BJP leader has mentioned praise for the Gujarat chief minister in the context of prime ministership.