BJP flays protocol denial to Sushma

HYDERABAD: The visit of leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj to the state to participate in the Telangana Poru at Karimnagar on Tuesday kicked up a row with the BJP alleging that the state government failed to arrange a guest house, vehicle and  security for her as demanded by protocol.While BJP leaders decided to take up the issue with the governor and Lok Sabha speaker, officials of the protocol department claimed that there were no lapses on their part.As per protocol, the government should arrange a guest house, vehicle and security to Swaraj who holds cabinet rank as leader of the opposition. The protocol department is learnt to have failed to provide not even one of them. The protocol department made some fire-fighting  to cover up the goof-up and arranged accommodation, vehicle and security for her. But the BJP senior leader is learnt to have refused to accept the arrangements.Party floor leader in the Assembly G Kishan Reddy alleged that the incident reflected the irresponsibility of the state towards a national leader. “The BJP state unit arranged for her accommodation at the Lake View Guest House on rent and she travelled in my vehicle. My security personnel and some party activists gave her security cover,” he said.However, the protocol department claimed that there were no lapses as they were required to make arrangements for Swaraj only on official visits. “As she was on an unofficial visit, we could provide the facilities as per protocol only on payment basis. There was slight delay in making arrangements as BJP leaders did not make payment for the facilities in advance,” said a senior official in the department.