ID demand upsets Chavan

It’s a big ego clash ahead of the President Barack Omaba’s visit to the megapolis.

It’s a big ego clash ahead of the President Barack Omaba’s visit to the megapolis.

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Chief minister Ashok Chavan and his Cabinet colleagues Chhagan Bhujbal and RR Patil have not decided yet whether to attend the programmes they been invited for as security managers for Obama’s visit have asked them for identify proofs. Chavan, however, will receive Obama at the airport on his arrival on Saturday.

The officials said that Chavan has received invitation from American officials to the President’s afternoon function at the Taj Hotel on anti-terrorism and evening function at the Trident hotel. Bhujbal and Patil have been invited to the Taj. Chavan’s one-to-one meeting with Obama has not been fixed yet. “We are still awaiting confirmation on this from the authorities,” said the official.

What has really irked state officials is a letter from the US officials that asked CM, Bhujbal Patil’s offices to furnish information such as their passport numbers and identity proofs. Bhujbal expressed his displeasure on the demand when US officials met him on Thursday.

The demand has rubbed the Mantralaya officers the wrong way. “We’re waiting for the final word from the US officials. We will not submit any identity proof of the CM, his deputy and home minister, who heads the police department,” said a bureaucrat. US officials could not be contacted.