PM briefs President on CHOGM
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Nov 18 — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had a 50-minute meeting with President K.R. Narayanan at Rashtrapati Bhavan during which he is understood to have appraised the Head of State about the details of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Durban.

According to a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman, the Prime Minister informed Mr Narayanan about the decisions taken at CHOGM’s four-day summit with particular reference to India’s stand on various issues.

There was speculation here about appointment of Governors. Though no official indication was available, it is understood that this issue also figured among other domestic issues discussed at the meeting, which was part of the customary exercise of the Head of Government briefing the Head of State after a visit abroad.

West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu’s announcement after meeting Union Home Minister, L.K. Advani that industrialist and BJP national executive member Viren Shah is likely to be appointed as Governor of West Bengal has triggered speculation.

A hastily scheduled meeting between former union minister Ramakrishna Hegde and the Prime Minister, slated for the late evening, also caused speculation as this is Mr Hegde’s first meeting with Mr Vajpayee since he was not included in the Union Council of Ministers after the elections.

Mr Hegde is likely to be persuaded to accept a new assignment. He may be sent as India’s envoy to London enjoying a Cabinet rank. The present High Commissioner to UK, Mr Lalit Mansingh, a career diplomat, has been named as Foreign Secretary-designate. India House in London has as the Deputy High Commissioner a high profile diplomat, Mr Hardeep Puri, who served as the Joint Secretary incharge of West Europe prior to his present appointment. His presence creates the infrastructure for a political appointment at the top of the London establishment.

The appointment of Governors in six states, including Punjab, is overdue as the present incumbents are continuing in office after completing their respective terms. It is understood that an initial list mooted by the political leadership has run into rough weather because of objections raised in certain quarters.