In a move that is bound to widen the rift between the Mayawati government and the UPA government, the UP chief minister has withdrawn all protocol privileges that are normally accorded to visiting Central ministers.
Union minister of state for rural development, Pradeep Jain, on Monday, was forced to travel by rickshaw when he arrived here to attend the two-day coordination committee meeting of the UP Congress.
“I have no idea why there was no official car and escort to receive me. I am here for a party meeting and will travel by rickshaw to reach the destination. I have not been given any security which reflects the mentality of the state government,” he said.
A day ago, another union minister of state, Jitin Prasada, was given similar treatment when he arrived in Lucknow.
A senior government official, meanwhile, said that the rules for protocol had been changed last week.
“If any central minister comes to the state on an official visit and gives adequate and prior information, he will be given privileges under the protocol. If he or she comes on a private visit, then it is the sole discretion of the state government. Besides, if we are not informed in advance, we cannot be expected to stand in waiting at airports and railway stations to greet union ministers,” he explained.
UPCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi however reacted sharply to the state government’s behaviour.
“Our Central minister was told that he is not considered as a state guest and if he wishes to stay in VVIP guest house then he has to pay for his accommodation. This is ridiculous, how can a State government treat a minister from a Central government in such a shabby way. He was not a State minister but a Central minister who had come to Lucknow. We will take up the matter with the Governor and will also write to he chief minister,” she said angrily.