The US may have refused a visa to CM Narendra Modi in the past, but his supporters overseas are leaving no stone unturned to bring the CM to America, even if only in virtual reality.
The CM will address a gathering of his overseas supporters via video conference
GANDHINAGAR: The US may have refused a visa to chief minister Narendra Modi in the past, but his supporters overseas are leaving no stone unturned to bring the CM to America, even if only in virtual reality.
The Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) is organising a function in February to felicitate Modi on his win in the state assembly polls and the CM has been invited to address the gathering live via video conferencing.
"The OFBJP has organised a grand event in New Jersey to celebrate the victory of the BJP and Modi in the assembly elections. The event will be held in Albert Hall and the CM will address the gathering via video conferencing on February 2," a senior government official told DNA.
"The event will be telecast live in the US and Canada as well as in India. The organisation is tying up with a private news channel for live telecast of the event," he said.
There will be a DVD screening of Vande Gujarat, a programme prepared by the BJP to showcase the economic progress achieved in Gujarat during Modi's tenure, said the official. Modi is slated to address the gathering in Gujarati and Hindi.
State BJP spokesperson Vijay Rupani said the function was being planned by Gujaratis and Indians in the US. "They wanted to felicitate Modi on his win and have arranged the event," he said.
"We want to expose the US' double standards on the issue. They have invited many leaders who have committed crimes. Moreover, no court has indicted Modi. This is an undemocratic decision," said Rupani. "We want to convey to the US authorities that Modi is a powerful leader and even if they refuse to host him, his supporters in the US are still inviting him," he added.
Asked if the event showed that Modi was popular among the Gujarati diaspora, state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki said, "Gujaratis are supporting Gujarat and not Modi. They have supported all chief ministers in the past and they are always ready to help in the development of the state." The Association of Indian Americans of North America was one of the organisations that had invited Modi to the US in 2005 to address a conference. Modi, however, could not go there as the US administration refused a visa for his role during the 2002 riots.
r_urvashi@dnaindia.net
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