Modi arrived here this morning accompanied by the senior colleagues of his party.

The city has virtually been converted into a fortress in view of Modi's arrival, who wants to consolidate his comfortable position in Gujarat ahead of the state assembly polls scheduled next year.

The fast comes nearly a month before the 10th anniversary of Godhra carnage, where 59 people, mostly karsevaks, were killed when the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express train was burnt on February 27, 2002, triggering the worst-ever riots in Gujarat.

"Over 1,600 policemen have been deployed along with 50 specially trained Chetak commandos and other unarmed jawans across the town," Panchmahal SP Sachin Bhadshah said. "Security has been tightened in every part of the town.”

Also, a three-layer security has been put in place at the fast venue," he said, adding that CCTV cameras have been installed at the ground and sensitive locations.

Panchmahal district BJP president Jayprakash Patel said over 10,000 people have registered themselves to fast along with the chief minister. An equal number have been shortlisted to greet him on stage.

He said there was no tension in the town following the event and such talks were just "rumours". "Many programmes of the chief minister have taken place in Godhra after 2002 and nothing has happened. All talks about tension are hyped."

Patel denied reports that a special enclosure has been built for the people of minority community to offer Friday namaz.

Panchmahal district BJP Minority Cell president Ramzani Jujara said people who want to offer namaz can go to the mosque near the venue.