The controversy regarding grant of visa to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who is on the way to lead the BJP to the third straight win in assembly polls, could not have come at a more inappropriate time. With Modi being increasingly pitched as the party’s prime ministerial candidate, the letter by 25 US lawmakers to secretary of state Hillary Clinton asking her to ‘keep denying visa to Modi’ has come as an embarrassment for the BJP.
The letter by the US Congressmen makes it amply clear they are not very happy with the idea of having Modi as India’s prime minister. ‘India is a thriving democracy, and one that is aspiring to a high standard of leadership and progress. It is disturbing that certain parties in India are considering elevating Modi, despite his tie to these (post-Godhra riots) attacks. Allowing him to enter the United States will only serve to abdicate his responsibility for the 2002 human rights abuses,’ the Congressmen said. Modi was first denied visa by George Bush administration.
The observation by the US Congressmen have been strongly contested by the BJP which called the US lawmakers’ move a bid to defame Modi. ‘This is a propaganda against Narendra Modi. The BJP is winning in Gujarat so this is an act to defame Modi. By electing Modi back to power, the people of Gujarat will answer those trying to defame him,’ BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said. BJP leader Balbir Punj said, ‘We do not need any endorsement from the US. All we need is blessings of the people of Gujarat.’
The letter by the US Congressmen makes it amply clear they are not very happy with the idea of having Modi as India’s prime minister. ‘India is a thriving democracy, and one that is aspiring to a high standard of leadership and progress. It is disturbing that certain parties in India are considering elevating Modi, despite his tie to these (post-Godhra riots) attacks. Allowing him to enter the United States will only serve to abdicate his responsibility for the 2002 human rights abuses,’ the Congressmen said. Modi was first denied visa by George Bush administration.
The observation by the US Congressmen have been strongly contested by the BJP which called the US lawmakers’ move a bid to defame Modi. ‘This is a propaganda against Narendra Modi. The BJP is winning in Gujarat so this is an act to defame Modi. By electing Modi back to power, the people of Gujarat will answer those trying to defame him,’ BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said. BJP leader Balbir Punj said, ‘We do not need any endorsement from the US. All we need is blessings of the people of Gujarat.’