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Deny US visa to Modi, say US Congmen

Washington: As Narendra Modi seeks a fresh mandate in Gujarat and also eyes prime ministership, a bipartisan group of 25 US Congressmen has asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to continue denying him visa, claiming he has not adequately pursued justice for victims of the 2002 riots.

"As ... justice has yet to be fully realised for the victims of the riots, we ask that you continue to deny Mr Modi a visa," the lawmakers from the US House of Representatives said in a letter to Clinton.

Dated November 29, the letter, which comes ahead of the Gujarat polls on December 13 and 17, was released to the press yesterday by Republican Congressman Joe Pitts and Frank Wolf on the eve of their joint press conference at the Capitol Hill with family members of the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots.

As the Gujarat Chief Minister "continues to pursue a potential run for higher office, we believe a change in policy to his request for a visa will only embolden Modi and his government's efforts to obstruct further investigations ... to bring the perpetrators to justice," the Congressmen said.

Kejriwal's another expose today

New Delhi: RTI activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal is expected to make another big expose on Tuesday. However, Kejriwal-the National Convener of the Aam Admi Party- has not thrown any indications on who will be his target this time or what will be the nature of the revelation.

Kejriwal had earlier targeted UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, BJP chief Nitin Gadkari and industrialist Mukesh Ambani. 

Telangana MPs to boycott FDI debate in LS

New Delhi: Eve as the Congress-led UPA government gears up for a crucial debate on its decision to allow the FDI in multi-brand retail, reports on Tuesday claimed that nine Telangana MPs will boycott the proceedings in Parliament.

The government faces acid test in two Houses of Parliament with “friendly parties” like BSP and SP not clearing their stand and a united opposition appearing firm to corner the ruling coalition on the issue of allowing FDI in multi-brand retail.

The debate on FDI is expected to start in Lok Sabha after the Question Hour. The UPA government recently agreed to hold a debate in Lok Sabha on the issue under rule 184 and under Rule 168 in Rajya Sabha, both entailing vote.

Though, the UPA government is confident of sailing through in the lower house, it does not have the required numbers in the Rajya Sabha, which was adjourned till noon soon after it assembled today.