A controversy triggered by the Union government’s attempt to restrict the duration of the visit and the number of delegates in Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s entourage to Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) blew over after the Centre dropped its move.
The Andhra Pradesh government had sought mandatory political clearance for a 17-member delegation and for a seven-day visit to Davos from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for WEFs 49th annual meeting from January 20 to 26. But it was surprised to receive a communication from MEA on Thursday evening restricting the number of days to four and pruning the size of the delegation to 10. The restrictions kicked up a row, in the wake of strained relations between the TDP and the BJP. The information leaked out, and some TDP leaders described the MEA’s recommendations as ridiculous and alleged that the Centre was trying to sabotage Mr. Naidu’s Davos trip.
They saw a political angle behind the move, accusing the Centre of showing discrimination and coming in the way of the State government’s attempt to attract investments.
He attended the WEF conference from 1996 to 2004 and has been attending it every year since 2014.
