Centre did not stop Modi from visiting UK: Patil

NEW DELHI, Mar 25 (UNI): The Centre had not stopped Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi from going to London but had apprised himof the security threat in case he proceeded with his proposed visit, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said today.

The Home Minister, who visited the UNI headquarters here, told reporters that Modi had taken the right decision in cancelling the visit.

Expressing satisfaction that Modi had accepted the suggestion, the Home Minister clarified that the Centre had not put any restriction on the Gujarat Chief Minister's visit but had conveyed to him the information the government had about the risks involved.

Patil also clarified that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had not made any telephone call to Modi asking him to cancel his visit.

Referring to a news report in this regard, Prime Minister's Media Advisor Sanjaya Baru also clarified that the Home Minister had called up Modi and shared some information the Centre had about the threat to Modi which could include a group of people holding demonstrations against the Chief Minister during his visit.

As such, the Home Minister informed him that it may not be advisable for Modi to go ahead with the trip.

Baru said Modi later called up the Prime Minister and informed him about his cancellation of the trip.

"The Prime Minister did not call up Modi.

It was the Home Minister (Shivraj Patil) who did so," Dr Baru said.

He said Patil told Modi that since he was going on a private visit, the UK government had made it clear that it could not provide "official" security to him.

"Demonstrations are going to take place and there could be threat to Modi's life," Dr Baru said, adding that Patil told the Chief Minister to "think about it and then decide." "It was an advice from the Home Minister," he said.

Reports from Ahmedabad quoting a Gujarat government release last night said Modi decided to cancel his visit after the Prime Minister and Patil telephoned him at 2230 hrs and persuaded him not to leave for London.

Dr Baru denied any information about a terrorist threat to Modi in Britain but said there was a possibility of "some problem" because of demonstrations.

"After considering the Home Minister's advice, Modi himself called up the Prime Minister to inform him that he had cancelled his trip," Dr Baru said.