C’wealth meet skips city

The Commonwealth Youth Parliament, proposed for the first time in the country between October 21 and 23, was scheduled to attract over 250 delegates from 54 countries

The ongoing agitation in the State for and against a separate Telangana State has had its impact on the city’s reputation as a favoured destination for hosting international meetings and conventions.

It has lost the opportunity of hosting the prestigious Commonwealth Youth Parliament. The event, proposed for the first time in the country between October 21 and 23, was scheduled to attract over 250 delegates, including young parliamentarians, from 54 countries to deliberate on parliamentary practices.

Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar had lobbied hard with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for hosting the event in the city so that the delegates could evolve the best practices leveraging the advancements in the technology arena. The Speaker also sought postponement of the event in view of the delicate political situation in the State.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat that had commenced the process for securing clearances from External Affairs and other Ministries was informed of the “sensitive” situation in the State that warranted postponement of the event.

“The Lok Sabha officials responded positively to our request,” Mr. Manohar told The Hindu .

Legislature Secretariat officials said given the volatile political situation, it was felt that holding the meeting was not advisable at the present juncture. “We thought it appropriate to postpone the event as it will attract attention of the international media. Any small development will put the State in bad light before the international community,” an official said.