Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal today said Wharton India Economic Conference’s invitation to him and cancellation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s lecture at the event were not linked. “I confirmed about 10 days back with Wharton that I would speak there. I am not a substitute. This is mere media speculation. Wharton’s invitation to me has nothing to do with Modi’s controversy,” he said. Kejriwal’s comments came against the backdrop of reports that he will be replacing Modi as the keynote speaker of the event. The conference got into news in India after Wharton decided to cancel Modi’s keynote address in the wake of opposition to the Gujarat CM – who has drawn flak for his alleged role in allowing 2002 post-Godhra riots – from some of its students and university professors. Modi was to deliver his address on March 22-23 via video-conference. Three Indian-American professors from the University of Pennsylvania had sent a petition to Wharton signed by about 135 people “furious” against the invitation to Modi. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has dismissed reports that she was invited to the event. PTI
