Srinagar, Oct 12 (KNO): Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has written to Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather that his Public Relations Officer (PRO) had attempted to contact MLA R.S. Pathania, but the legislator did not respond to repeated calls.
In his reply to a notice of breach of privilege, the Deputy CM, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), maintained that his office had made efforts to reach out to Pathania, who represents the Udhampur East constituency and had alleged that he was deliberately excluded from an official function during the Deputy CM’s visit.
“I hold this belief that elected representatives do have rights but with corresponding duties. It has been my endeavour to adhere to parliamentary protocols and participation of elected representatives. My PRO had called the MLA many times, but the MLA did not respond to the calls,” the Deputy CM wrote in his submission.
Pathania, however, has strongly contested the claim, describing it as “an untrue submission” and demanding evidence to substantiate it.
In his rejoinder, the MLA asked for disclosure of the PRO’s name and designation, his mobile numbers, the number allegedly called, the date and exact time of each call, and the relevant call records.
“The alleged telephone calls by the PRO of the Hon’ble Deputy CM is an untrue submission. May I humbly request for disclosing the name and designation of the PRO, his official/mobile number, the number allegedly called, the date and exact time of each call, and the relevant call records or other supporting evidence. A bald assertion that the MLA ‘did not respond to calls’ cannot sustain, especially when the entire controversy concerns compliance with an established protocol,” reads the rejoinder.
Pathania has asked the Speaker to call for the relevant documentary and electronic evidence concerning the alleged telephone calls, official deployment, and conduct of the programme.
He has also requested the Speaker to refer the matter to the Committee on Privileges for an objective examination of the relevant facts, the alleged violation of the prescribed governmental protocol, and the breach of the privileges and dignity of the elected member—(KNO)