Advani to Condi: Why no visa for Modi?

Senior BJP leader L K Advani today raised the issue of USA8217;s visa denial to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said Advani asked Rice how the US State Department had issued a clarification that Modi will not be given visa without the latter even applying for it. 8220;Though granting visa is the right of any sovereign nation, it should not ban the entry of any elected chief minister of a democratic country,8221; Advani was quoted as telling Rice.

To this, Rice asked the officials accompanying her to get further details on the issue, said Javadekar. The clarification was issued by the US after an American leader had sought the government8217;s position on the issue last month.

Modi was reportedly denied visa for his alleged role in the Gujarat riots of 2002. Several human rights groups and sections of the media have accused Modi of inaction when communal riots broke out after the Godhra carnage. 8212; PTI