Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday began his three-day fast for peace, unity and communal harmony in the state. The BJP stalwart's 72-hour fast under `Sadbhavna Mission' coincides with his 62nd birthday. The venue of his fast is Gujarat University Convention Centre in Ahmedabad.

BJP leaders like L K Advani, Arun Jaitely, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Sahanawaz Hussain and Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Prem Kumar Dhumal, among others, were present when Modi began his fast. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, whose party Shiromani Akali Dal is a key member of the BJP-led NDA, was also present.

In response to Modi's move, Gujarat Congress leaders Shankarsinh Vaghela and Arjun Modhvadia also started their fast on a footpath in front of Sabarmati Ashram.