Date:20/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/20/stories/2007092057650100.htm

National

Ambika Soni cancels visit

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Unable to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday to present her side of the story in regard to the affidavit filed by the ASI in the Supreme Court, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Ambika Soni has decided not to go to New York for the ‘Incredible India’ festival. She has asked Tourism Secretary Sheelbhadra Banerjee to represent the Ministry at the event from September 23 to 26.

Ms. Soni has sought an appointment with Dr. Singh to explain to him about the fiasco. As the Prime Minister has just undergone surgery and is recuperating, Ms. Soni was not able to meet him.

Ms. Soni’s meeting has assumed significance in the light of the demand raised by two of her party colleagues — Minister of State Jairam Ramesh and R.K. Dhawan — for her to step down. Mr. Ramesh later regretted the expression of “personal views in public”.