CMs seek audience with Obama; US says no

The queue of chief ministers wanting to have exclusive meetings with US President Barack Obama is getting longer by the day. Some of them have even approached the External Affairs Ministry for a date with the world's most powerful man.

But it could prove to be a long queue to nowhere, as the United States Administration is in no mood to entertain any such exclusive meeting due to Obama's tight schdule.

Since Obama will stay in Mumbai on his way to Delhi, the Maharashtra government thought it had an edge over others in organising such a meeting between Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and the visiting President. But the US Administration has refused to entertain that request as well. Instead, Chavan will have to be content with just being a listener when Obama addresses the Indo-US business summit on November 6. The meeting will be held at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.

A senior official from the Protocol Department, who is involved in the preparations for Obama's visit to Mumbai and Delhi, said that there have been requests from a large number of chief ministers. But no such meeting has been granted.

The Confederation of Indian Industries has been specifically told to "accommodate" Chavan and Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan at the business summit, the official said. States had argued that a meeting between their chief minister and Obama was necessary to give a boost to investments by US companies.

Meanwhile, Obama will also visit the historical Mani Bhavan in south Mumbai and Saint Xavier's College where a Kisan Mela (farmers' fair) will be organised. The official said: "The US President wants to have a feel of an Indian village by interacting with Indian farmers and taking a look at the agriculture equipment on display at the kisan mela".

Over 1,600 US security personnel will be deployed during Obama's visit. Some of his top officials have already landed and visited several places including the Taj Mahal Hotel which bore the brunt of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in November 2008.