MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday, 20 February, announced that the Donald Trump Nagarik Abhivadan Samiti (Citizen Felicitation Committee for Donald Trump) is the organiser of the ‘Namaste Trump’ mega event to be held on 24 February in Ahmedabad.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing by the MEA spokesperson, Kumar referred to the committee as the ones who are responsible for organising the event, while answering a question about the politicians being invited for the event.
However, according to a report by The Hindu, it appears that there is no information about the people behind the committee which is organising the high-profile public event at the Motera Cricket stadium.
The report by The Hindu further says that that the name was announced publicly only when Kumar referred to the committee and that even in Gujarat, officials and other agencies involved in the preparations for the event seem to be unaware about any such body.
Speaking to Ahmedabad Mirror, Dhananjay Dwivedi, in-charge secretary and chariman of Gujarat state non-resident Gujaratis' foundation said, "I am unaware of any such committee. We deal with district level delegates and participants for the event."
An official told The Hindu that he had only learnt of the existence of the committee today.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala took to Twitter to raise questions about the committee and the event.
Meanwhile, Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya told Ahmedabad Mirror, "When the head of other country visits, the central government declares details of tour. Rather than giving importance to the organiser of the event, it is important that the US president is accorded a warm welcome in Ahmedabad. This visit will increase cultural and business relations between the two nations. Lakhs of Gujaratis live in the US and the Namaste Trump event will increase their importance in the US."
(With inputs from The Hindu, Ahmedabad Mirror)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)