MP behind letter against Narendra Modi demands apology from BJP

NEW DELHI: With a forensic report terming as "authentic" a letter purportedly signed by 65 MPs to the US President on Narendra Modi visa issue, the MP who led the move today demanded apology from BJP for targeting him "unfairly".

Independent Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb said he was subjected to a "great deal of humiliation in the hands of BJP and some channels", and the party must apologise to him after a California-based forensic expert said the letter was genuine.

Several MPs including senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, who purportedly have their signatures on the letter to US president Barack Obama asking him not to give visa to Modi, have denied signing any such document, questioning its authenticity.

"I have been informed by my fellow signatories that they were being hounded by the media to deny their signatures and accuse me of forgery. When they refused and were ready to accept their signatures, their stand was never highlighted," he alleged in a statement, without explaining the denial of Yechury and several other MPs.

Adeeb targeted Meenakshi Lekhi, a BJP spokesperson, for levelling "shameful" allegations against him in a TV debate and demanded that she apologise.

He claimed the petition had just sought to know the US stand on Modi's visa credentials as BJP president Rajnath Singh had asked for American visa for Modi.