Gujarat will set example as a inclusive growth model: Modi

Ahmedabad, Sep.17 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that his state would be known worldwide for its model of inclusive growth.

Modi, a pro-business Hindu leader who some think could be India's next prime minister began a "harmony" fast earlier in the day to soften his image that was hurt by religious riots that claimed hundreds of mostly Muslim victims nearly a decade ago.

Modi exalted his state as a model for inclusive growth and communal harmony.

"The day is not far, when the people in and outside India will have to discuss about that model of Gujarat where along with peace, unity and brotherhood, everyone's development would take place," said Modi.

He appreciated the resilient nature of the state to bounce back and emerge as a major economic power.

Modi also emphasised that his government is against religious and caste divisions and believes in holistic development.

"We do not differentiate persons on the basis of caste, religion or region. We are taking development forward, utilising the basic resources," he said.

Seizing the moment after the Supreme Court referred to a lower court a case in which he was accused of complicity in the 2002 violence, Modi, is using a three-day fast to depict himself as a moderate and tolerant.

In his speech, he said that he never retaliated when he as accused of being a Hindu hardliner.

"People kept accusing me, but I did not fight with them. Despite the atrocities, accusations, misbehaviour I have faced, I have never replied them. I just kept tolerating," said Modi.

After leading Gujarat for the past decade, there has been speculation Modi might play a greater role in national politics.

Senior BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani, who was also present at the occasion, lauded Modi for the steps that he had taken to root out corruption, red tapism and nepotism from the state.

"Unless the state chief himself does not present himself as a role model, the administration will not be corruption-free. And I believe that if Gujarat is a model for good administration, then it is because from the beginning itself, Narendra Modi was very determined that his government would work with honesty and dishonesty will not be tolerated," said Advani.

Modi cut bureaucracy to help turn Gujarat into a motor of India's growth. But his reputation as a hardliner who let rioters rampage dogs him.

Witnesses at the time said state police were absent during the worst of the violence, fuelling suspicion that Modi condoned the attacks on Muslims in retaliation for the deaths of a dozen Hindu pilgrims in a train fire.

The riots took place after a train carrying Hindu devotees was set on fire at the Godhra Railway Station, setting off one of the country's worst communal riots since independence in 1947.

More than 2,500 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the subsequent riots in Gujarat.

Critics said that Modi and his party, the BJP, which rules Gujarat, did little to stop the violent aftermath of Godhra incident.(ANI)