Modi's fast political drama: Clerics

Muslim clerics and organisations on Saturday flayed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his three-day fast terming it as a "political drama".

"Muslims and Hindus will observe a fast next Friday to protest against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's anshan," prominent Shia cleric and member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said in Lucknow.

It is nothing more than a "political gimmickry" and people want to get rid of a leader like Modi, he said. The protest would be held at Bara Imambara where people would collectively break their fast, Jawwad said.

All India United Muslim Morcha president M A Siddiqui said the fast would not improve Modi's image of a hardline leader. "This is nothing more than a political drama as he will never succeed in projecting himself as a prime ministerial candidate," Siddiqui said in a statement.

He said the only way left for Modi was to repent his wrongdoings.