A political stunt: Paswan

LJP on Saturday termed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s fast as a “political stunt and drama” through which he was trying to project himself as a secular leader.

LJP’s national president Ramvilas Paswan said Mr. Modi is trying to improve his image as a national leader while aiming for Prime Ministership.

“All these are political stunts and drama by Mr. Modi to improve his candidature for Prime Ministership. While the Supreme Court has transferred his case to a lower court in the state, Mr. Modi is trying to project his so-called secular image with these political gimmicks,” Mr. Paswan said here.

On whether these measures could help Mr. Modi in his future ambitions, he said, “To become a Prime Minister in this country, one must have two important identities of secularism and social justice. But these fasts will never help him gain a national and secular stature.”

Mr. Paswan also targeted Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who is also carrying out a similar fast as a protest against the one by Mr. Modi, and said the party “lacks commitment to fight communalism”.

“Congress has never done anything more than just talking about Dalits and Muslims. If you are fighting against communalism and for social justice, you need to be committed. But Congress lacks that commitment,” he said.

LJP is conducting a three day-long national cadre training session for its members here to plan its future strategies.