In 2007, when Japanese premier Shinzo Abe addressed the Indian Parliament, a circular was sent asking officers of the level of joint secretary and above to be present in the Central Hall. But, the number of applications to attend the session during US President Barack Obama’s address on Monday has been unprecedented.
“Sending a circular to fill vacant seats, if needed, in the Central Hall has been the usual practice so that it looks like a packed House. This also happened during Russian president Putin’s visit,” said a top official of Parliament.
However, no such circular has been sent this time for Obama’s speech. Parliament officials are facing an unprecedented rush.
Till Thursday evening, more than 2,000 requests had poured in to secure a seat in the Central Hall under the special guest quota. Around 160-180 seats will be available, besides the seats reserved for MPs, foreign diplomats based in Delhi, officials accompanying Obama and members of the Inter-Parliamentary Group.
“Requests have come from almost all the ministers’ offices. Several top bureaucrats and even Delhi government officials are asking for passes,” said an official.
Expecting limited seats for guests, a senior Cabinet minister called up the Secretary General’s office on Wednesday to send a “revised list” of his relatives keen to watch Obama live in Parliament. His earlier list had seven relatives.
Party managers have also privately warned fellow MPs against rushing to the podium to shake hands or interact with the US president.
