Won't budge on 'no visa to Modi': US

Says he is welcome to apply, case would be reviewed on its merits

The US government today made clear there was "no change" in its stand of not granting a visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, but said he was welcome to apply and the case would be reviewed on merits.

"There is no change (in US policy)... He (Modi) is welcome to apply. All visa decisions are made on a case by case basis, and I'm not going to prejudge it here," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters here.

Responding to questions on the invitation extended to Modi by a delegation of US lawmakers last week, Nuland said there was no change in US policy.

"With regard to Mr Modi, our lines have not changed here. He is welcome to apply," she said.     

"Every visa is adjudicated on the merits and in the context of US law individually," Nuland said when asked if the State Department would issue a visa to an individual when invited by a  Congressman or a group of lawmakers.

<B>Modi to campaign in Karnataka</B>
Newly-appointed to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s central election committee, Modi  today skipped a crucial meeting on the Karnataka assembly elections. Nevertheless, the party leadership said he would campaign in the polls, scheduled for May 5. Party leaders said since Modi wasn’t in touch with Karnataka state politics, there was no need for him to be present at the meeting.

They added he was busy preparing for the party’s 33rd foundation day.

BJP president Rajnath Singh would attend the foundation day ceremony.

Other political parties said BJP should send Modi to Karnataka, where BJP has been divided after former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa walked out of the party. A few senior BJP leaders in that state are facing corruption allegations.

After today’s meeting, a senior party leader said, “Narendra Modi will campaign in Karnataka during the assembly elections. BJP has announced the names of 140 candidates. Earlier, of these, 82 were members of legislative assembly (MLAs) in the state.”

This was the first meeting of the CEC after Modi was inducted into the body. It is expected Modi would be in the capital on April 7 and 8 to attend a party meeting and the 29th annual session of Ficci Ladies Organisation.

“The Gujarat chief minister was not present and I, too, was not present, though I am a Member of Parliament (from the state. Normally, we decide the names on the basis of the candidates suggested by the state leadership. I was busy with a parliamentary committee meeting,” said M Venkaiah Naidu, former BJP president and CEC member.

The BJP leadership said the real test for Modi would be during the distribution of tickets for the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.