Namaste Trump: Unknown Private Group Organising Gujarat Event; Congress Raises Questions

The Congress party has questioned the sudden emergence of the group, which apparently was never heard of before the MEA announcement.

AP/PTI Photo

New Delhi: As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday disclosed that the prime organizers of the ‘Namaste Trump’ event at Motera stadium in Gujarat, is a newly-formed private entity called the ‘Donald Trump Nagrik Abhinandan Samiti,’ the Congress party has raised questions over the amount being spent by government for an event organized by a private organisation. The party has questioned the sudden emergence of the group, which apparently was never heard of before the MEA announcement. At the weekly media briefing MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar referred to the group as the ones who are responsible for organising the event, while answering a question. He also highlighted that the event would be organized on the lines of Howdy Modi event of Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in Houston, USA, as he referred to the joint rally Modi and Trump last year. When asked whether the opposition would be a part of the event, Kumar said that the question should be left to the organisers.  He then disclosed that Gujarat government was not the organizer, but a private firm Donald Trump Nagrik Abhinandan Samiti, which is taking all decisions on whom to invite. Targeting the government over the amount being spent on the event, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala asked who is the President of Donald Trump Abhinandan Samiti? “When was the invitation extended to U.S President & accepted? Why is President Trump then saying you have promised him a grand event with 7 million people?,” he asked in a tweet. “Why is Gujarat Govt then spending ₹120 Crore for a 3 hour event organized by an unknown private entity?” Surjewala tweeted.

Dear P.M,

Intriguing news from @MEAIndia ! Pl state- 1. Who is the President of Donald Trump Abhinandan Samiti? 2. When was the invitation extended to U.S President & accepted? 3. Why is President Trump then saying you have promised him a grand event with 7 million people? 1/2 pic.twitter.com/mYiAN8CfNO — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 20, 2020

2/2 Dear P.M,

4. Why is Gujarat Govt then spending ₹120 Crore for a 3 hour event organized by an unknown Pvt entity? India values its visiting dignitaries but pl note- Diplomacy is serious govt business & not a series of photo-ops & event management tactics. https://t.co/i0PbOlruIz — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 20, 2020

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