TMC MP denied NOC to visit China, slams govt

Trinamul Congress MP and Bengali actress Satabdi Roy on Wednesday sought to know from the Centre the reason behind being declined a NOC to her for visiting China last month in connection with a film festival, despite having a valid visa to travel to that country. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, the three time MP from Birbhum sought the Speaker’s intervention into the matter, saying that despite being a lawmaker, she Roy was not allowed to attend a film festival.

While raising the matter, the TMC MP apparently tried to make a reference on the Prime Minister but was admonished by the Speaker Om Birla to maintain decorum, amid protests by BJP members.

Madhya Pradesh minister for food and civil supplies Pradyumna Singh Tomar’s “penchant” for touching AICC general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia’s feet in public to show his loyalty to him Wednesday seemed to have boomeranged on him.

The 60-year-old minister, who had drawn flak from several quarters for recently prostrating before 47-year-old Mr Scindia in public, Wednesday got a snub from Mr Scindia for kneeling down before him to touch his feet.

Mr Tomar, in his characteristic style, had dropped to his knees and prostrated before Mr Scindia when the latter arrived at Gwalior railway station from Delhi in the morning.

A visibly upset Mr Scindia was seen gesturing him not to bow down before him. The Opposition BJP took the opportunity to slam the minister for throwing protocol and decorum to the wind and kneeling before Mr Scindia in public. “Mr Tomar should follow protocol and refrain from touching the feet of a leader in public”, a BJP spokesman said.

State law minister P.C. Sharma however defended his ministerial colleague saying that it concerned the sentiments of a person and there was nothing wrong if someone paid respect to his leader in public.

Later, Mr Scindia chaired a meeting in the district collector’s office in Gwalior inviting criticism from the BJP. The meeting was attended by three state ministers, besides the Gwalior district collector and Gwalior district superintendent of police.