Hyderabad, Dec. 26: The President, Ms Pratibha Patil, has cancelled her stay in the city, apparently because of the ongoing Telangana agitation and the scandal involving the outgoing Governor, Mr N.D. Tiwari.
Ms Patil was scheduled to arrive at Hyderabad on December 28 and stay at Rashtrapati Nilayam in Bolaram up to January 6.
As part of her southern sojourn, she was also supposed to celebrate the New Year in Hyderabad before visiting select parts of South India.
The special secretary (protocol), Mr N.V. Ramana Reddy, told this newspaper that the President’s trip has been cancelled. “The reasons for cancellation of trip have not been given,” he said.
Sources, however, said that the Telangana agitation was one reason for the cancellation of the trip. There are security concerns in case the agitation takes a violent turn again.
Likewise, Mr Tiwari’s quitting his post after an expose in a TV channel is cited as another reason.
The President’s office was in touch with the chief secretary throughout the day, over the situation in the city following the scandal in the Raj Bhavan.
The state government had made all arrangements for the visit of the President. The RP Nilayam at Bolaram was given a facelift, and roads from the city to Bolaram were repaired and black-topped.
Ms Patil is likely to go to Goa now.
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26th dec 2009 i put up the file to hon'ble...justic mr subash reddy
about the governer issue
from telangana mahila shakti
It is indeed sad that Hyderabadis would have to forgo the annual sojourn of our revered President. It appears despite extraordinary and unique efforts made by the government to clear monkeys and snakes from the Presidential Abode, many such of the ilk appear to be roaming freely in Hyderabad, endangering the safety and security of the public and their property posing threats even to VVIPs. This factor appears to be prime reason for this cancellation. It devolves on the government, if it is effective, to clear all such hazards from the city and ensure the Hon President continues the favour of her annual visit to the southern state of AP and accord the benefit to its citizens of her venerable and inspirational presence in the City.
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