Chief Minister Narendra Modi began his three-day fast in Ahmedabad on Saturday morning for what he called peace, unity and communal harmony in the state. His fast under `Sadbhavna Mission' coincided with his 62nd birthday.

To counter his fast, Gujarat Congress leaders Shankarsinh Vaghela and Arjun Modhvadia also started their fast on a footpath in front of Sabarmati Ashram.
BJP leaders including L K Advani, Arun Jaitely and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal were among those present when Modi began his fast. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, whose party Shiromani Akali Dal is a key member of the BJP-led NDA, was also present.
While BJP praised Modi's leadership, Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi has reacted sharply to Narendra Modi's fast saying it does not lessen his crime. Samajwadi Party General Secretary Mohan Singh attributed Modi's fast to power struggle within the BJP.