Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal did not attend the convocation ceremony held at Saurashtra University here today.
As many as 64,059 students of 287 colleges from ten districts of Saurashtra region were presented degree certificates by state Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Vice-Chancellor Mahendra Padaliya and other dignitaries, on the occasion of the 48th convocation ceremony.
According to sources, the Raj Bhavan had twice sought list of persons sharing dais with the governor on the occasion, following which lists were sent by the varsity.
According to the source, in the first list, names of seven persons were mentioned, but the number is pruned to five persons on instructions from Raj Bhavan.
However, after receiving the second list, the Governor showed her inability to attend the function, the source added.
"We had sent the dais plan to Raj Bhavan, but somehow she showed her inability to attend the function," the VC said.
When asked about the Governor's absence from the function, Chudasama replied, "she may have to attend some other important work".
According to unconfirmed reports, the Governor did not want to share the stage with a senior BJP leader who was recently appointed as the chairman of Gujarat Municipal Finance Board.
Some members of Senate of the varsity said on condition of anonymity that the Governor wanted to go to Rajasthan where her son is contesting Assembly elections.
