Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has shown willingness to receive US President Barrack Obama during his visit to Agra on January 27 and a request regarding this has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. A senior official in the Chief Minister’s office told The Pioneer here on Friday that a request has been sent to the MHA, through proper channel, to allow the Chief Minister to receive the US President at Agra airport if not at Taj Mahal.
“Being head of the State, the Chief Minister is entitled to receive any foreign dignitary during his visit to any part of Uttar Pradesh. But as security is very strict in view of Obama’s visit, a request letter has been sent to the MHA,” the official said. The final call on who will receive Obama will be taken by the MHA in consultation with the US Security officials.
"We are still waiting for final confirmation from the Government of India regarding this. There are chances that the Chief Minister might be allowed to receive the US president at Agra airport," he said. According to the proposal, Akhilesh Yadav along with his wife Dimple Yadav will receive the US President and his wife at Kheria airport in Agra. They will also be part of the US president's cavalcade that will go to the Taj Mahal.
The UP administration wants that Chief Minister should share a space with the US President as this will give a boost to UP's image among international diaspora. Officials believe this small gesture may help the State to showcase its tourist destinations. Officials are tightlipped about President Obama's Agra schedule but said that Agra would witness unprecedented security during almost three-hour visit of the US President in this Taj city. The shops around Taj Ganj area and near the three gates on west, south and east sides of the monument would remain closed on January 27 for almost the whole day. Jammers would be installed hitting mobile network operation badly.
A 40-member team comprising US security advisers had visited Agra to access security arrangement and logistics, ahead of the visit of the US president. CCTV cameras are being installed along the route from the Kheria airport to the Taj Mahal, a distance of about 11 km. Besides, commandos will be posted along the street corners, on rooftops and crossings. Meanwhile, Agra administration has cancelled 150 visa applications of Pakistani nationals who were coming to Agra to attend the Urs of Hafiz Abdullah. Urs is to be held at the shrine between January 25 and 27 -- the same period when Obama will be in Delhi. Taj Mahal will be closed for visitors on January 27. Around 10,000 visitors visit Taj Mahal daily. This number goes up during holidays.