Shinde draws flak from colleagues over US stay

Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde drew flak from his party collegues for staying in the US even after the May 25 strike on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh.

HT Image

Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde drew flak from his party collegues for staying in the US even after the May 25 strike on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh.

Shinde didn’t cut short his visit to the US even after the lethal Maoists attacks. He is returning on Wednesday as per the original schedule.

"No tour could be important at this juncture," party spokesman Bhaktacharan Das said.

Shinde had left for US on May 19 to attend the Indo-US homeland security dialogue.

"The official engagement of the minister ended on May 22 after the the bilateral meetings. After that, he had a few engagements with the Indian community there. He is returning on May 29," said home ministry spokesman KS Dhatwalia.

The BJP also criticised Shinde for his absence after the naxal attack in Chhattisgarh.

BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said, "At a time, when so much of commotion is happening, the gentleman (Shinde) is on a private trip for past four days. Rest of the people from the official trip have come back."