President's son takes a detour, raises storm

BREACH OF PROTOCOL? Rajendra Singh Shekhawat (inset) was a part of the official presidential delegation.

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Keywords: MEA, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat

New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil’s son, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat, left the official delegation while in Mexico and flew to Florida on April 17.

So did Shekhawat use the President's first overseas trip for his personal business and why did he fly down to Florida from Mexico?

The President's Office says he took a detour at his own expense with even the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) saying he had informed them in advance.

There are allegations that Shekhawat, a part of the Presidential VVIP delegation, broke protocol and took a detour to Florida while the President was on a tour of Latin American countries

Sources have confirmed that Shekhawat flew to Miami skipping the Mexican leg of the Presidential visit.

Sources in government have told CNN-IBN that Shekhawat had gone to University of Florida to negotiate deals for his family-run educational institutions in Maharashtra.

However, the President's Office maintains that his visit was strictly of a personal nature.

Insiders within the MEA, however, accept that this was a breach of protocol and highly improper.

Shekhawat was a part of the VVIP delegation and No. 3 in order of importance. As per the rulebook he cannot make a detour while the tour is on.

Shekhawat's missing the tour can be disrespect not only to the President but also to the host country.

President Patil's election was surrounded by controversy. Now just a few months into office, there is yet another controversy. Was there a breach of protocol or was there impropriety?

For now Rashtrapati Bhawan and the government are denying it.

"It was know from the very beginning that up to a particular point he would be traveling with the delegation and there off he would proceed for a scheduled meeting with the University of Florida," Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs, said.

Then, why wasn't the host country informed? And why didn’t the MEA’s protocol division advise Shekhawat's that his absence would cause embarrassment?

Shekhawat clarified that he had gone to Florida a personal trip and not for sightseeing.

"I undertook a personal trip and there has been no breach of protocol. MEA has already clarified the position. I went because I'm from educational institution background and I had not gone for any business or signing a contract. I went there because there was a standing invitation. I wasn't involved in official dialogue. I was just part of the delegation. I was a family member. I could've also gone for sightseeing but I did not do so. I just went there to inquire and have a look at the university. I paid for my trip. If I had the slightest imagination, I would not have gone. I'm sorry about it," Shekhawat told CNN-IBN.

However, Kristine McGrath, Press Officer of Florida Atlantic University confirmed that Shekhawat was in Florida to tie up a business relationship for educational institutes the family runs in Maharashtra.

"I have little bit of information for you. I can tell you that he was on Atlantic University's campus around April 18 at that time he was introduced to Florida Atlantic University's College of Business where he met with the dean and faculty members as well as discuss some possible and had some preliminary discussions about possible academic linkages between Florida Atlantic University and India," she said.

(With inputs from Bhupendra Chaube)