BJP upset over protocol violation on Sushma's AP visit

Hyderabad, Jun 3: Taking exception to alleged protocol lapses during the recent visit of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj to Andhra Pradesh, BJP today (June 3) demanded that a high-level inquiry be conducted into the issue.

"It is surprising to see now, inspite of prior intimation to all the departments concerned including the General Administration Department (GAD) for accommodation, travel and security arrangements, there was no one from the department of protocol to receive Sushma Swaraj," State BJP president G Kishan Reddy said in a letter to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

"I have come to know through newspaper report that you have already taken cognisance of the lapse. I request you to conduct high level inquiry so that accountability could be fixed to deter such lapses in future," he said.

The BJP President pointed out that such a protocol lapse occurred during the visit of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi too.

"I am still willing to concede that these lapses were not deliberate. But the pattern in the lapses give us room believe that there is a pattern with BJP top holding constitutional position," he said.

Sushma Swaraj visited Andhra Pradesh on May 31 to address a public meeting at Karimnagar.

PTI