The fast is seen as a bid by Narendra Modi, chief minister of the Gujarat state, and his party, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to launch him as a national leader as the government loses popularity over inflation and corruption scams.
Modi, arguably India’s most polarizing political figure, is seeking to put behind him allegations of complicity in deadly anti-Muslim riots in 2002, analysts say.
The makeover attempt is seen by commentators as grooming him into a prime ministerial candidate for the next general elections in 2014.
Seizing the moment after the Supreme Court referred to a lower court a case in which Modi was accused of complicity in the 2002 violence, he is using the fast to depict himself as a conciliator with a strong record on the economy.
“In democracy, there is no place for any ill will or revenge,” Modi, wearing a white turban, said from an air-conditioned hall in Ahmedabad, capital of Gujarat, where he is conducting his fast. “My effort has been to take Gujarat forward. In terms of economic and overall progress, Gujarat has made giant strides,” Modi said of his western state which has seen 11 percent growth in recent years.
Hundreds of supporters sang religious slogans as he entered the hall, flanked by senior BJP members. “It is for peace and communal harmony. Through my fast, I want to reach out to more people,” said Modi in comments broadcast live on national television.
In a rare sign of contrition, the notoriously self-assured Modi wrote an open letter on the eve of the fast opposing religious and caste divisions. “I am grateful to all those who pointed out my genuine mistakes during last 10 years,” he wrote.
Modi, who celebrated his 61st birthday on Saturday, said 11 percent annual growth showed Gujarat had recovered from the riots.
After leading Gujarat for the past decade, there has been speculation Modi would seek a greater role in national politics. LK Advani, a veteran BJP leader who many believe has ambitions to be prime minister, heaped praise on Modi.
“In Gujarat, there is good administration and zero tolerance toward corruption and terrorism. If this policy is adopted across the country, then India would rise to new heights,” the 83-year-old leader told reporters at the hall.
But Congress party leaders in Gujarat, some of whom embarked on a parallel fast on Saturday, dubbed Modi’s actions a “political stunt.”
“There are serious allegations against Narendra Modi. He is just trying to whitewash his communal image but no one can forget and forgive the mistakes he has committed,” said senior Congress politician Shanker Sinh Vaghela.
Vaghela and his fellow party leaders began their three-day fast on Saturday in Ahmedabad that they said was to expose Modi’s “injustice.”
Modi is a major proponent of an ideology, shared by the BJP, that emphasizes the traditional Hindu nature of India.
The party governed India from 1998-2004 after rising to prominence on a wave of Hindu nationalism following the destruction of a mosque.
