Aka123
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New York: The BJP, which has often claimed that it is not bothered by America's travel ban on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi since the 2002 Gujarat riots, will now ask the US to reconsider its decision to bar the man who's leading the party's 2014 campaign.
BJP president Rajnath Singh, who is on a five-day US visit, told NDTV in New York: "We will request the US government to clear Narendra Modi's visa."
The BJP had earlier maintained that the US ban did not matter, hitting out at Washington for denying entry to a democratically elected leader. But the party seems to have changed its stance with Mr Modi leading its 2014 campaign and being seen as a frontrunner for its prime ministerial candidate.
The US first denied Mr Modi a visa in 2005, over allegations that his government did nothing to stop the 2002 riots. The US has since maintained that there is "no change in its policy", even after the United Kingdom and the European Union ended their boycott recently.
Mr Modi, who has often been invited by Indian-American groups to events in America, resorted to video-conferencing in May to reach out to his audience in 18 US cities.
The Congress reacted with a jibe at Mr Rajnath Singh's controversial remarks that "the English language has resulted in a loss of language and culture in India."
"First the BJP president must clarify what language will he speak in - Hindi or English?" quipped Union Minister Manish Tewari today.
Mr Singh also clarified in the US that his remarks had been misunderstood. "I meant that Hindi and other regional languages should be used to teach Indian culture and heritage to students. I have no anti-english or pro-english agenda, no prejudice to any language."
Lift ban on Narendra Modi, BJP to urge US; 'in Hindi or English', taunts Congress | NDTV.com
BJP president Rajnath Singh, who is on a five-day US visit, told NDTV in New York: "We will request the US government to clear Narendra Modi's visa."
The BJP had earlier maintained that the US ban did not matter, hitting out at Washington for denying entry to a democratically elected leader. But the party seems to have changed its stance with Mr Modi leading its 2014 campaign and being seen as a frontrunner for its prime ministerial candidate.
The US first denied Mr Modi a visa in 2005, over allegations that his government did nothing to stop the 2002 riots. The US has since maintained that there is "no change in its policy", even after the United Kingdom and the European Union ended their boycott recently.
Mr Modi, who has often been invited by Indian-American groups to events in America, resorted to video-conferencing in May to reach out to his audience in 18 US cities.
The Congress reacted with a jibe at Mr Rajnath Singh's controversial remarks that "the English language has resulted in a loss of language and culture in India."
"First the BJP president must clarify what language will he speak in - Hindi or English?" quipped Union Minister Manish Tewari today.
Mr Singh also clarified in the US that his remarks had been misunderstood. "I meant that Hindi and other regional languages should be used to teach Indian culture and heritage to students. I have no anti-english or pro-english agenda, no prejudice to any language."
Lift ban on Narendra Modi, BJP to urge US; 'in Hindi or English', taunts Congress | NDTV.com
He holds a diplomatic passport, genius.........no one will be arresting him. He will travel on a diplomatic visa, if he does travel..... Btw, too many wet dreams...no one will touch an Indian politician in the U.S. or Europe, whether or not they are holding a diplomatic passport on charges unrelated to that country........If Lt.Gen. Pasha could claim diplomatic immunity, do you really believe a sitting CM will be touched....?
