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Why Was Venkaiah Absent At Tirupati?

Why Was Venkaiah Absent At Tirupati?

Union minister for Information and Public Relations and Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu, who does not let go any opportunity to be in the good books of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was conspicuous by his absence at the inauguration of 104th Indian Science Congress at Tirupati launched on January 3.

Venkaiah’s presence at the Science Congress was very much expected for various reasons: first, it is happening in his home state of Andhra Pradesh.

Secondly, it is closer to his native place Nellore. Thirdly, being a Cabinet minister from Andhra, he is supposed to be present to receive the Prime Minister when he comes to the home state.

Fourthly, he has to be present along with Modi for the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara on Tirumala. Fifthly, Venkaiah is a Union Information Minister and hence, he has to ensure that Modi’s message at the Science Congress get enough coverage in the media.

Yet, Venkaiah kept himself away from the Science Congress. It is not that he did not get the invite from the organisers; he did, but he chose to be away from the Modi meeting.

Apparently, he does not want to play second fiddle to his colleague Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y S Chowdary, who will obviously get the privilege in the protocol by virtue of his portfolio.

There is also talk that local BJP leaders asked him to stay away, as they don’t like he hobnobbing with chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

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