Modi, Rahul, Kejriwal: Do politicos need Wharton's approval?

New Delhi, March 5: BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar was right when he said Americans don't vote in India, after Wharton Business School in US decided to drop Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's name from the list of speakers at its forthcoming conference. Then why their is so much of hullabaloo surrounding the issue?

Earlier, Modi was invited to deliver a keynote address via video conference at Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF). The 17th Wharton India Economic Forum will be held on 23 March at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia.

The controversy created around the issue of whether Modi should speak or not speak at Wharton conference does not hold much importance for Indian voters. An Indian voter will vote for Modi, and in that case any other candidate, depending on their track record.

The recent Gujarat Assembly Elections 2013 is a testimony to it. Modi came to power in the state for the fourth time in a row. During the elections, Muslims voted for Modi, who till recently were considered as Modi's greatest detractors, post-Gujarat riots in 2002.

But, situation is different in Gujarat now. Analysts say, Gujarat Development model initiated by Modi has wooed and touched one and all.

After Wharton School cancelled Modi's address, it has invited Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal to address students during the forum.

Confirming his participation at the conference, Kejriwal said he was not replacing anyone." As per my information, I am not replacing anyone. The invitation to me was an independent one," said Kejriwal.

On Monday, an official statement from the Wharton India Economic Forum stated that Modi had been dropped from the list of keynote speakers. "As it stands currently, Mr. Modi's keynote address at Wharton India Economic Forum has been cancelled."

After Modi and Kejriwal, name of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was also said to be considered by the business school for the keynote address. Media reports say Rahul turned down an invitation to deliver a key note address at WIEF on Tuesday.

It is time for Modi to snub Wharton, not the other way round.

OneIndia News