SPG stops fmr deputy CM from meeting Sonia

Gwalior, Nov 24 (UNI) Former Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Subhash Yadav could not meet party President Sonia Gandhi today at the airport here since the Special Protection Group did not allow him past the Very Important Person Lounge as Mr Yadav's name was not on the VIP list.

Congress sources said that sometime later Ms Gandhi enquired about Mr Yadav and directed that the ex-deputy chief minister be conveyed before her in the plane. Officials looked around for Mr Yadav but he had left the airport by then.

MPCC chief Suresh Pachouri and Mr Yadav had reached the airport together for welcoming the United Progressive Alliance Chairperson.

Mr Yadav was first stopped by Central Industrial Security Force constables but he managed to reach the VIP Lounge along with Mr Pachouri.

After leaving the airport, Mr Yadav later returned to Bhopal by helicopter and then left for his native district Khargone by road.

''I regret that I could not meet Ms Gandhi today but I blame nobody,'' he told UNI over telephone.

UNI XC-AC 2057