Security issues bar Rahul entry

Despite an invitation from students to visit the university, the Osmania University administration has denied permission for Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the campus citing security reasons.

In a letter to a PhD research scholar K. Manavatha Roy on Friday, the OU joint director said: “Osmania University has declined the request made by student organisations regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit to OU, due to security issues, as he is under Special Security Coverage”.

The Congress had expected the university to deny the permission to his chief’s visit as it was speculated in the official circles. But it issued a formal letter communicating the denial on Friday.

Meanwhile, Hockey Ground authorities also denied permission to Rahul Gandhi for conducting a meeting with Muslims. With the denial of permission by OU, TPCC is conducting a meeting with students and unemployed youth in Saroornagar Stadium.

After releasing Mr Gandhi’s two-day tour schedule, TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is scared of Mr Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Osmania University.

He said that on August 14 Rahul Gandhi will hold a teleconference with 31,000 booth committee presidents. He would leave the city on August 14 evening.

In the student and unemployed youths’ meeting, he said, Mr Gandhi will expose the cheating of student and unemployed youth by the Chief Minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that Mr Gandhi’s tour in Telangana will remain a historical visit.

AICC general secretary and Telangana Congress affairs in-charge R.C. Khuntia said said that the state government has obstructed Mr Gandhi’s meeting with the Muslims.

He asked why the MIM is supporting Mr Chandrasekhar Rao, who is supporting Mr Modi at the Centre.