Chandy defends alleged protocol breach at RIT progr’me

Kottayam: Following the BJP’s allegation of protocol violation in the inauguration of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology (RIT) at Pambady in Kottayam, attended by AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday said the protocol was not a barrier to carry out the will of the people.

Chandy said at the inauguration of RIT that it was the wish of the local people that the institute should be dedicated to the country by Sonia Gandhi herself.

He said when the plan was first mooted in 1991, local people, irrespective of politics, had placed only one condition that it should be inaugurated by Sonia Gandhi.

Chandy also said though the programme was scheduled two times earlier, it had to be cancelled due to some reasons.

We will do everything possible to make the RIT a premium institute, he added.

The BJP had on Wednesday alleged protocol breach in the inauguration of the institute.

In a Facebook post, state BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan claimed "the inaugural address by Sonia Gandhi, placing her above CM is definitely breach of protocol and an insult to Kerala."

He also took a dig at Chandy saying "the Chief Minister made a protocol issue over a private function involving the Prime Minister. Isn't he breaching every protocol in the government college programme today?"

The newly-appointed BJP chief was referring to the controversy over the exclusion of Chandy from the unveiling of statue of former state Chief Minister R Sankar at Kollam recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rajasekharan also asked "isn't it an insult to the state that a higher education institute is being inaugurated by an accused in a corruption case? Is it not giving a wrong message to the students?"

He also criticised CPI(M) for remaining "silent" over the issue.