Tension in Rajkot ahead of Narendra Modi's sadbhavna fast

RAJKOT: The atmosphere in the city has become tense ahead of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's sadbhavna fast and the rival fast of Congress MP, Kunvarji Bavaliya, on December 26.

Scuffles broke out yesterday as workers of BJP and Congress were canvassing support for the fasts of their respective leaders.

Congress workers, led by city unit president Jasvant Bhatti, were removing Modi's posters at the race course ground yesterday when BJP corporator and former mayor Uday Kangad allegedly assaulted Bhatti.

Congress workers led by Bavaliya staged a sit-in at police commissioner's office, forcing police to arrest Kangad, who was later released.

Kangad and Bhatti have lodged complaint against each other.

Congress workers also burnt Modi's posters last evening and police commissioner Geetha Johri herself led the lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Five Congress workers including opposition leader in Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Keyur Masraniya, were detained.

Over 1,000 policemen including 11 Superintendents of Police and 34 DySps would be deployed at Modi's fast site, said police commissioner Johri.