Congress leaders plan a counter-fast for Narendra Modi

If chief minister Narendra Modi is going to observe a three-day-long fast for his Sadbhavna Mission for peace and harmony in the state, Congress leaders have planned to give him a birthday bash in the form of a counter-fast. Senior leaders of the party, Shankersinh Vaghela, Shaktisinh Gohil and Arjun Modhwadia, will observe a parallel fast from September 17 demanding an apology from the chief minister for 2002 riots.

Sources in the Congress indicate that all three leaders have agreed and will go on the fast at the same time as the chief minister, starting from this Saturday. On Wednesday, strategy planning meetings were held at Shankersinh Vaghela's home, Vasant Vagado in Gandhinagar late in the evening.

"All senior Congress leaders, including the leader of the opposition in the assembly, Shaktisinh Gohil, president of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), Arjun Modhwadia and veteran leader and Congress' election strategist Shankarsinh Vaghela 'Bapu' will be fasting parallel to Modi's fast," sources said.

"The place is likely to be near around Gandhi Ashram. Congress will demand unconditional apology from Gujarat chief minister for 2002 riots," they further said.

All the Congress leaders and supporters from across the state will be coming to Ahmedabad for the three-day fast, the sources added.