New Delhi:
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has announced that he will begin a three-day fast on Saturday, to "promote social harmony." The Congress dubbed it as "gimmickry" and said Mr Modi should instead start with offering a "comprehensive apology" for the 2002 riots.
"It is genuine contrition which matters and which should be reflected in a profound and comprehensive apology which alone be a starting point of genuine empathy. Otherwise the country cannot be fooled by gimmickry," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said.
Congress leader Mohan Prakash, party's Gujarat in-charge, said, "Whatever Modi is doing, only he and god knows. BJP's actions are always full of hypocrisy and stunt," he said.
Buoyed by the Supreme Court order in Gulbarga Society riot case, Mr Modi hit out at his detractors for "defaming" him for the 2002 riots and announced he would undertake the fast.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in a letter to citizens.
The Gujarat Chief Minister insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of the state.
A senior Congress leader, on the condition of anonymity, alleged that Mr Modi's fast was to pressurise the magistrate which will hear the case.