Congress MP to observe parrallel fast to counter Narendra Modi’s mission.
Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, is all set for the battle of fasts today. The coastal city will not only play host to chief minister Narendra Modi's Sadbhavana fast, but will also witness the parallel Satkarma fast of firebrand Congress MP Vithal Radadiya.
The fast in Porbandar will be Modi's sixth day-long fast after Dwarka, Navsari, Patan, Bodeli (in Vadodara) and Bhachau (Kutch) as part of his Sadbhavana Mission. He is slated to hold fasts in all 26 districts and eight municipal corporation areas over the next two to three months.
Modi is slated to land at Porbandar at 9.30 am. He will go straight to Kirti Mandir, the house where Mahatma Gandhi was born, and offer floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, who spent his life promoting peace and communal harmony. Modi will then proceed to Chowpati Ground, where he will hold his day-long fast.
Just six kilometres away, Congress MP Vithal Radadiya, will hold a parallel fast at Kumbharwada. The firebrand MP from Porbandar has said that his fast would attract more supporters than the chief minister's fast. Porbandar is expected to witness hectic politicking on Sunday as both BJP and Congress pull out all stops to make the fast of their leader a bigger success.
Congress has objected to BJP leaders with alleged criminal record welcoming Modi with posters across the city. "People facing charges of mineral theft, murder, attempt to murder and attacks on government officials, are welcoming Modi. He (Modi) has sadbhavana (harmony) for mafias," said Congress in a statement.
"The mining mafias have also taken up the responsibility to ensure that huge masses visit Modi's Sadbhavna fast," the Congress said. Incidentally, Porbandar is also the assembly constituency of Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia, who is expected to remain present during Radadiya's fast. According to officials, security has been tightened in Porbandar in view of the political showdown.
"Tight security arrangements have been made in Porbandar due to CM's visit. The district administration and police are taking all precautionary measures to avoid any law & order problem," said Porbandar collector, Girish Shah.
Meanwhile, the state government claimed that as many as 10,000 people from Kutch fasted voluntarily with the CM in Bhachau on Saturday.
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