Modi's decision right: Venkaiah

CHENNAI, Mar 25 (UNI): Asserting that the BJP stands firmly behind Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, former party President M Venkaiah Naidu today termed as "right" Modi's decision to cancel his trip to the United Kingdom due to security concerns.

Talking to newspersons here, Naidu said Modi had cancelled his trip on the advice of the Central Government.

A few days after the United States denied him visa, Modi, who was scheduled to leave for the UK today to attend "Gujarat day" celebrations tomorrow, reportedly cancelled his proposed visit to London on the advice of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Unlike the US, the UK did not withdraw his visa.

But some human rights organisations in Britain had threatened to stage demonstrations if Modi visited that country.

Moreover, the Centre had received information that there was a possibility of terrorist attack and that his security was under threat.

"The Centre has advised him against undertaking the UK trip because of security concerns," he added.

He said the denial of visa by the US to Modi was an assault on the sovereignty of India as no case was pending against him in any court.

Neither was there any charge against him nor had FIR been registered against him.

The present situation was a culmination of a massive "orchestrated malicious campaign" by pseudo-secular forces against Modi, the former BJP President said and alleged that some fascist forces, who did not believe in democracy, were behind the campaign.

The US had rejected visa to Modi on false and flimsy grounds.

"It's not an issue pertaining to the BJP.

It's a national issue and all should speak in one voice," Naidu said.

Stating that the BJP solidly stood behind Modi, Naidu said he was a duly elected Chief Minister and if he had done anything wrong the people of Gujarat would throw him out in the next elections.