Not invited in dept’s event, irked BJP MoS writes to CM

Cognisance taken; Senior Min, Admin Secy reprimanded

JAMMU: At a time when BJP is pre-occupied in setting its house in order by inducting new ministers by dropping few, the BJP ministers in Mehbooba’s council of ministers darted a complaint to chief minister stating breach of protocol and adding that they (Junior ministers) are not given due treatment as their seniors.

In one such complaint to Mehbooba Mufti, the Minister of State (MoS) for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Finance, Ajay Nanda has written a protest letter to CM. The letter, a copy of which is with The News Now, states that the minister was not invited in an event of his own department, in which the concerned senior minister was Chief Guest.

Observing the tensions in the coalition after the PDP forced BJP to drop the two cabinet ministers Lal Singh and Chander Parkash Ganga in Rassana issue, now the CM herself do not want to stretch things anymore, so she responded promptly and took cognizance of the matter.

Official sources informed that though CM not only replied officially to the complaint of the MoS, but also has taken cognizance of the matter and talked to the Cabinet Minister of Law and Justice, Abdul Haq Khan besides to the Commissioner Secretary of the Department to ensure that such things wouldn’t happen in the future.

Ajay Nanda is the same BJP minister who courted controversy over his participation in a meeting of Tribal Affairs Department on February 14, 2018, in which controversial minutes of meetings were released by the department later regarding the decisions taken, under the chairmanship of CM Mehbooba Mufti.

In the letter written to CM, around a fortnight back Nanda said, “I wish to record my strong protest and bring to your kind attention an important issue involving a breach of protocol in place for important functions, where government was also an active participant.”

Not only submitting his protest, the Minister also hinted on the coalition dharma, “This is not only against spirit of coalition dharma, but also a clear cut breach of protocol in place for such functions where government was also an important participant.”

In the letter Nanda referred that on 8th of April, 2018, foundation stone was laid for New Court Complex Building at Katra by Chief Justice of J&K in the presence of Minister for Law, Abdul Haq Khan from PDP.
“Needless to mention, I am not only the local MLA but also the MoS Law. However, I had not been made part of such important function that associated with my constituency as well as my portfolio,” complained Nanda.

“I, once again request you to pay heed to this matter and take appropriate action to protect the dignity of coalition and the rights of its members,” concluded Nanda.

When contacted, MoS Ajay Nanda said that everything is going fine and things changed after his letter to CM and he was invited, subsequently, respectfully in two of the departmental events.

However, he said that he has not received any reply from CM, but she has taken cognizance of the matter.