Ashok Gajapathi defends Appa Rao to the hilt

The Officer on Special Duty in the Civil Aviation Ministry, Appa Rao, played truant on Thursday when Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju defended him to the hilt. There was no question of removing Appa Rao, Raju told newsmen in his office. Right now, there were only allegations against Apap Rao. Only an inquiry would reveal the truth, the minister said. The point of interest is that Sanjay Bhandari who is alleged to have donated a plush flat in London to Robert Vadra, Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, had talked hundreds of times with Appa Rao. Bhandari had also met the minister. Stating that he had already clarified on the meeting with Bhandari, the minister said he would keep Appa Rao as long as he trusted him. While the media meeting was going on in the minister's office, there was no trace of Appa Rao and his being not available on the phone was adding to mystery role of the OSD.