Date:29/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102960501600.htm

National

VC asked to submit report on cancellation of Rahul’s meet

Atiq Khan

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of the Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture University in Kanpur, T.V. Rajeswar, has reportedly adopted a strong line on the last-minute cancellation of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s programme in the reportedly on account of security concerns.

Mr. Gandhi’s programme for October 24 was cancelled at the eleventh hour as the auditorium, where the function was scheduled, was found to be locked. The Special Protection Group attached to Mr. Gandhi was reportedly not informed of the cancellation.

The Raj Bhavan’s displeasure was reportedly made known to Vice-Chancellor V.K. Suri when he was asked to meet Principal Secretary to the Governor, G.B. Patnaik. Raj Bhavan sources confirmed that Mr. Suri met Mr. Patnaik on Monday. The Vice-Chancellor has been asked to submit a report on the security faux pas, the sources said. As the Governor has reportedly not given appointment to the Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Suri was asked to submit his report to the Principal Secretary and other Raj Bhavan officials.

Contradictory versions

According to sources, this follows the contradictory version reportedly given by the Vice-Chancellor on the cancellation of Mr. Gandhi’s interaction with the students.

Informed sources said that in his letter sent to the Agriculture Production Commissioner, the Vice-Chancellor had reportedly stated that no formal information had been conveyed to him about Mr. Gandhi’s programme. As he had no information, the question of granting or not granting permission for the programme did not arise, the Vice-Chancellor reportedly told the government.

In the letter, he has reportedly acknowledged that a meeting did take place with the SPG about security.