President Pranab Mukherjee arrived here on Monday for his 10-day annual southern sojourn. Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, his deputies and ministerial colleagues along with other officials accorded him a warm welcome at the Hakimpet Air Force station.
For the next 10 days, the President, who stays at the Rashtrapati Nilayam, one of the Presidential retreats located in Bollaram, will be visiting southern States, beginning with Tirumala on July 1.
On July 3, Mukherjee will receive the first copy of a book, ‘Uniki’ written by Maharashtra Governor Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao, at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. The President will also inaugurate a ‘Nakshatra Vatika’ at the Rashtrapati Nilayam on July 6. His sojourn will end on July 8.
The President visits the Rashtrapati Nilayam, spread over 90 acres, in Bollaram at least once a year and conducts official business from here as part of the tradition established in the country after independence.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress alleged that protocol was not followed and no opposition leader was invited to welcome the President at the air force station. TPCC leaders alleged the visit was made to look like a ruling party affair.
Source: The New Indian Express