Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party government, re-elected earlier this month for a third term primarily for its work in essential services and schools, is miffed that no minister has yet been invited to accompany Melania Trump on a visit to a state-run school on Tuesday.
The Delhi government has arranged for the US First Lady to witness a “Happiness Class”, which focuses on helping students become attentive and developing critical thinking, social and emotional skills and a confident and pleasant personality.
However, state government sources claimed on Saturday that neither chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, nor his deputy Manish Sisodia, who handles education, had yet been invited. Foreign ministry sources said the US embassy handles events involving the First Lady.
On Monday, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani is expected to attend an event for the US President at a stadium in Motera, and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to welcome the Trumps for their visit to the Taj Mahal later that day.
Sisodia on Saturday visited a government girls’ school in East Delhi to witness a Happiness Class. “If at the national or international level someone wants to learn about it, then I feel happy,” he told reporters later.
“We got a request. We said that if she wants to come, then she is welcome. Arrangements have been made for her in some schools. I don’t want to comment on which schools, the preparations, on the status of her arrival due to security reasons.”
A state government source said arrangements were in place to receive Melania Trump at a school in South West Delhi, close to the Diplomatic Enclave.
“As board exams are taking place, we chose a school that is not a centre for exams. She will get to see the happiness curriculum and other innovations introduced in Delhi government schools,” the source said.
“It seems petty that representatives of the government that is responsible for this work in schools are not in the picture for the visit. It isn’t like the Taj Mahal, which the UP government did not make, but the chief minister is there to welcome the guests.”
