Click to play videoNew Delhi: President Pratibha Patil's son Rajendra Singh Shekhawat's detour to Miami, while with his mother on an official tour of south America, is proving to be an embarrassment for the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The President's office and Rajendra Shekhawat claim the First Son paid for his travel expenses but they obviously did not account for the political ramifications of making such a trip.
The Florida Atlantic University has confirmed to CNN-IBN that Shekhawat did meet officials there to explore a tie up.
"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," Press Officer of Florida Atlantic University Kristine Mcgrath told CNN-IBN.
The revelation does not come as a surprise as the Shekhawat family runs several educational institutions in Maharashtra. Shekhawat claims the US trip was a personal visit and no favours were taken from the Indian government. So, there is no breach of protocol.
"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,"he said.
The MEA too is into firefighting, saying it knew of Shekhawat's travel plans
"It was in the know from the very beginning that up to a particular point he would be traveling with the delegation and thereof he would proceed for a scheduled meeting with the University of Florida," Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma said.
But this is where, many claim, the impropriety happened. MEA protocol sources say if this was the case, they should have been informed and Shekhawat would have been advised to visit Florida only after the President's trip was over.
For the Opposition, the detour has come in as a handy ammunition to hit out at a President who didn't have their backing during the elections.
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