Ahmedabad, Sep 19: Although Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi chose not to comment on the fast launched by the state Congress leaders to counter his three-day Sadbhavna mission, his party members did not mince any words to trounce the act as “nonsensical” and dubbed it as a “panic reaction”.
Senior BJP leader and Gujarat in-charge Balbir Punj said Gujarat Congress was against the people and Modi. “The Congress fast is nonsensical. Shankarsinh Vaghela is trying to rehabilitate himself in the party under the pretence of this fast,” he said.
Punj said that the huge sea of people, approximately three lakh people in two days, who came to wish Modi on his good will fast itself shows that they believe in the their Chief Minister.
BJP MP in Rajya Sabha from Gujarat, Smriti Irani was highly critical of Congress and termed their fast as ridiculous.
“I think Gujarat Congress has already conceded defeat for the Assembly election next year. Their reaction to Modi's fast is nothing but its panic reaction before the 2014 general elections,” she said.
“Gujarat Congress does not have the strength or sense, nor does it have the intentions for development of the state,” Irani alleged. She said the BJP would welcome all the allegations and criticism from the Congress as it would help them perform better.
BJP MP Hema Malini also supported Modi's fast and described him as the image changer of Gujarat. “I am happy to see support for the Sadbhavna Mission. This is a proof of Modi's increasing popularity. This cannot be achieved easily,” Malini said. “Modi has changed the image of Gujarat in the 10 years of his rule. Now every state needs a leader like him,” she added.
Malini praised Modi for his inclusive development model by taking along every section of the society without discrimination of cast, religion or creed. She also said that actor-husband Dharmendra had conveyed his good wishes to Modi. Besides, BJP leaders Ramdas Athawle of Republican Party of India (RPI) also attended the fast and extended his support for him.
Athawle said he has brought along with him the message of Sadbhavna from the dalit community of India. Athawle asked Modi to steer the chariot of unity between Hindus, Muslims and dalits.
“We do not need another Godhra or Ahmedabad or conflict between Indian and Pakistan. Modi has done a good job in Gujarat,” Athawle added. PTI
