Invite cloud over Modi’s London trip

The organisers of the event, the Asian Music Circuit, say they haven’t invited Modi and don’t know on whose invitation he plans to be there.

Asian Music Circuit’s website dedicates a whole page to the event, but nowhere does it mention Modi. The website says folk singer Praful Dave and percussionist Trilok Gurtu and Sandeep Raval will be performing at the event, to be compered by Harish Bhimani. It also names the sponsors.

One Asian Music Circuit office-bearer, who didn’t want to be named, told The Indian Express: ‘‘We are a non-political body and do not want to be dragged into any controversy. We have not invited Modi but he may attend the function.’’

Modi’s office, which has been briefing the press for the last two days, says he has been invited by Asian Voice, a London publication. The chief minister’s public relations officer, Jagdishchandra Thakkar, claims Modi’s visit to London is an official tour, in which he will be accompanied by tourism secretary R.M. Patel, secretary (CMO) A.K. Sharma, and officer on special duty (infotech) Parag Shah.

Those who run Asian Voice categorically deny that they’ve invited Modi, but say they aren’t opposed to his coming there.

C.B. Patel, publisher and editor of Asian Voice, told The Indian Express: ‘‘We have not extended invitation to Modi. Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar (UK) are just two of the few sponsors. I’d be glad to invite Modi, but I have no role whatsoever in the management of the event, nor am I authorised to invite people for it.’’

The Asian Music Circuit was created in 1989 and is registered as a charity. It is funded by the Arts Council of England since 1991. Sources said 5,000 of the 6,000 tickets for the event have already been sold.