'Sadbhavana Mission' will end votebank politics, says Modi

Ahmedabad, Sep 17 (PTI) Western Indian state Gujarat
Chief Minister Narendra Modi Saturday began his three-day fast
for "peace and communal harmony", saying the success of his
endeavour would mean an end to votebank politics.
He also said that the fast was not against anybody.
"We want to take this spirit to each and every village
... each and every house. This fast is not against anybody and
I don't want to speak about anybody. Gujarat wants to move
forward. We want to be in service of India," Modi said.
"We want to move together and Sadhbhavna (harmony) will
be our strength. Development is our only motto. We will be a
model for the world on how development can be achieved
with peace, harmony and brotherhood," the Bhartiya Janta Party
(BJP) stalwart said, addressing a gathering at Gujarat
University convention centre, the venue of Modi's fast here.
Speaking about the fast, he said "It was the need of
the hour."
"Unity, peace and harmony have a major role to play in
our success, our development. Because we have treaded this
path and I wanted this message to reach out to people, this
fast was the best mean to do so," he maintained.
"Six crore Gujarati have gone through a lot of penance
to ensure such a situation. If I fast my words would carry
more weight and I will be able to reach out to more people."
This was the only objective behind the fast and there
was no grudge against anybody, he said.
"Over the last 10 years we have been vilified. I have
faced every attack so that you (people) do not feel the pain.
I want to ensure that Gujarat never slips below the parameters
of humanity," Modi said.
He sought strength from God so he is able to dedicate
his entire life to the people of Gujarat.
"May God give me strength not to have any bitterness or
vengeance ever for anyone," Modi said.
The Chief Minister said Saturday the entire country and
the world was discussing the development in Gujarat be it in
industrial, agricultural, rural, education or in health
sectors.
"Gujarat has been successful in its experiments in all
sectors and has scaled new heights. After the 2001 earthquake,
Gujarat was devastated and many thought it would never rise
again, but Gujarat has proved them wrong."
"Even the World Bank says that if a nation faces disaster
like the 2001 earthquake it would take them at least seven
years to rebuild, but the state did this in three years which
is a big achievement."
"In the very next year, 2002, Gujarat saw gruesome
communal riots. This incident once again renewed the
discussion that Gujarat has gone back on the path of
destruction, but we handled this situation strictly and with
strength," the BJP leader said.
"The stones that were thrown on us have been used by us
to build staircase," Modi said.