Finally under Pressure - Sonal Shah renounces VHP affiliation

Sonal Shah, an Indian-origin member of US President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, whose links with VHP sparked criticism, has formally renounced her affiliation with the Hindu outfit, accused of fomenting violence against Muslims and Christians in India.

In a statement, obtained and posted by NextGov and the National Journal, the Google executive said 2002 Gujarat carnage were one of the "most profound tragedies" in the long history of the state when "extremist political leaders, including some associated with the VHP, incited riots that resulted in the deaths of thousands."

According to the web posting, in an e-mail sent to her political supporters on Friday, Shah asked for help combating the allegations and expressed fear that the Obama transition team would ask her to resign as a result of the story.

"I need your help," wrote Shah. "This is gaining legs as the National Journal also picked it up and likely Fox. I need to mobilise people against the leftists and the right wing. There is a likely chance that they will ask me to resign as team does not need my publicity."...