Modi, Advani say US has stepped on India’s pride

Asked about the dissident presence at the rally, Zadaphia said: ‘‘Don’t use that word (dissident). This is a party affair, and we are all backing it, and that’s why I’m here. And don’t ask me which camp the MLAs who attended the rally were from. Why should I keep note of who from which group was present?’’

In their addresses to party workers at the Kankaria football ground, BJP president L.K. Advani and Modi said that the US had stepped on India’s pride.

Said Modi: ‘‘Whether the US administration gives me a visa or not, it will have to explain its action. Today I will unmask its double standards. The US spreads rumours to weaken democratic systems in countries, then attacks them as has happened in Iraq. For ten years they said Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, but even after the attack they have no proof of the weapons’ existence.’’

He came down heavily on two senators who had moved a resolution condemning Gujarat’s anti-conversion law and said the US is afraid of India emerging as an economic power. Modi also lauded the stand taken on the issue by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Centre.