Saturday, March 19 2005 20:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, whose visa has been revoked by the US, is now expected to address via satellite a scheduled public meeting in New York tomorrow (March 20, 2005).

The Association of Indians of North America (AINA), the organiser of the public meeting in the Madison Square Garden in New York, said they plan to put up a huge screen in the hall to telecast Modi's speech live from Gandhi Nagar.

Deploring the US decision to deny diplomatic visa to and revoke tourist/business visa of Modi, its officials said at a hurriedly convened press conference yesterday that the association was "shocked and bewildered" by the denial of visa to a democratically elected Chief Minister.

An AINA spokesperson claimed that the organisation represented the point of view of the majority of Indian-Americans in the United States.

But the Coalition Against Genocide, which had planned to hold a protest outside the Madison Square Garden, too claimed that it represented the majority of the Indian-Americans and praised the decision to revoke Modi's visa, saying his effort to put up a moderate face have failed.

AINA said it was expecting about 10,000 people for the meeting but the cancellation of Modi's visa would mean a loss of $ 100,000 to individuals and community organisations, which had contributed for organising the function.

AINA also welcomed Indian Government's strong reaction asking the US to urgently review its "uncalled for" decision.

Modi's visit was billed as business trip at which, the organisers said, he planned to showcase India in general and Gujarat in particular as a business destination.