Invite cloud over Modi146;s London trip

One Asian Music Circuit office-bearer, who didn8217;t want to be named, told The Indian Express: 8216;8216;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.8217;8217;

Modi8217;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 minister8217;s public relations officer, Jagdishchandra Thakkar, claims Modi8217;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 they8217;ve invited Modi, but say they aren8217;t opposed to his coming there.

C.B. Patel, publisher and editor of Asian Voice, told The Indian Express: 8216;8216;We have not extended invitation to Modi. Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar UK are just two of the few sponsors. I8217;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.8217;8217;

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.