New Delhi, Aug. 21 -- After nixing Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's US visit, the Centre on Friday, August 21, sought to explain the rationale behind the decision.

In a press briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, as if softening the blow, said, ". Let me also tell you that clearance was given for his visit to the United Kingdom."

On why the CM's US visit was denied permission, Jaiswal said, "Let me say that the visits of chief ministers, as indeed of other dignitaries, are assessed by the Ministry of External Affairs (in order) to accord political clearance.

"The programme proposed, in such cases, should be appropriate to the office held and the purpose of the visit. In this part...