Delhi CM flies to Japan as the Air Force One touches down in Delhi

Atithi Devo Bhavah! It seems Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit does not believe in the adage any more. The Sanskrit quote, which the chief minister was seen using time and again during the conduct of the Commonwealth Games is no more a part of her vocabulary.


Catchu00a0the vawe: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with his wife
Gursharan Kaur received US President Barack Obama and his wife
Michelle at Palam Airforce Station on Sunday. PIC/Rajeev Tyagi

On the day when the national capital was expecting its most high-profile guest, the chief minister flew to Japan with a "high-powered" delegation to deliberate upon development of major Asian cities.

The 44th US President reached Delhi on Sunday with his wife Michelle. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the team which welcomed Obama into the national capital. It would be pertinent to note here that Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan welcomed President Obama on Mumbai airport, despite an earlier tiff with the US authorities over providing identification documents.

The Maharastra chief minister took control of the administration in view of Obama's visit. As Home Minister RR Patil was out of town, the chief minister took charge of the home department and personally coordinated with the police top brass and senior bureaucrats stationed in Mantralaya. He monitored all the events and the security set-up from his official residence 'Varsha' at Malabar Hill. Both Chavan and his deputy Chhagan Bhujbal shared some brief moments with Obama and gave him a couple of surprise gifts.

"Delhi CM must be part of the delegation at Delhi airport to receive the US President. At least Dikshit should have been there at Rajghat to welcome the President," said a senior Congress leader on the condition of anonymity.

Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta said "conventionally" the Chief Minister of the state should be present in the state when a high-ranking dignitary visits the city. However, Delhi government officials kept mum on whether Dikshit's absence amounts to a protocol breach.