Madhumita case to keep PM away from media

If the rebellion within the Uttar Pradesh BJP was the reason behind Prime Minister Vajpayee’s avoiding the press seven months back, thi...

If the rebellion within the Uttar Pradesh BJP was the reason behind Prime Minister Vajpayee’s avoiding the press seven months back, this time around, it is the Madhumita Shukla murder case that will keep him away from the press.

With the Madhumita murder case hogging the limelight for the past 10 days, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has decided to avoid the customary press meet at the Raj Bhavan here during his two-day visit to the state. Vajpayee is scheduled to arrive in the state Capital tomorrow evening.

The Prime Minister, sources said, has been asked by his advisors to avoid the press so that he would not have to face embarrassing questions on the murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla and the alleged involvement of BSP minister Amar Mani Tripathi, who has been sacked by Chief Minister Mayawati, in the case.

Story continues below this ad

An official spokesperson, however, claimed today that the Prime Minister’s press meet has not been postponed but has been linked with ‘‘the flagging off of the inaugural Air India flight to Jeddah’’. The Prime Minister would meet reporters at a brief informal session at Amausi airport.

The Prime Minister will arrive in Lucknow tomorrow evening and will address party functionaries at Nirala Nagar.

On Wednesday, he will attend an award ceremony for Hindi litterateurs. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will lay foundation stones for projects worth Rs 1,001 crore at Kudia Ghat.

During his last visit to the constituency seven months back, the Prime Minister had similarly avoided meeting the press, citing ‘‘sore throat’’ as the reason.

Story continues below this ad

It was in October last year that some party rebels raised their voice against the state BJP leadership and the Mayawati government.

Trump accepts tariffs caused ‘rift with India,’ says it wasn’t an easy thing to do

World3 hr ago

Trump acknowledges that steep tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil have strained relations between the two countries. Talks to reduce tariffs have stalled as India resists opening its agricultural and dairy sectors. Despite the rift, Trump signals a potential reset and his nominee for ambassador to India says progress is likely.

View all shorts

Live Blog