Ram Nath Kovind, the NDA’s presidential candidate was denied entry into the Presidential Retreat in Mashobra on 28 May.
In a few weeks, Kovind may just be able to reap the benefits of the palatial building, should he be elected President. However, during his visit to Shimla in May, he was barred from entering the high-security complex as he did not have the required prior permission.
The Himachal Pradesh Governor’s office said they were unaware of Kovind’s visit. Shashi Kant Sharma, the adviser to Himachal Pradesh governor Acharya Dev Vrat, told PTI:
Kovind did not call up anyone for permission but quietly returned to the Governor’s house at Barnes Court in Shimla. It was only on his return to Raj Bhawan that he told us that he was not allowed entry to the retreat.
It is long standing tradition for the President of India to take a break from Delhi twice a year.
The President visits the Mashobra retreat in summer, and the ‘Rashtrapathi Nilayam’ in Hyderabad in winter. The core office of the President also shifts base with him, during this period.
(With PTI inputs)
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