MCD miffed over breach in protocol

Two top leaders of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi lodged their protest with foreign minister SM Krishna about violation of protocol when a nine-member Chinese delegation visited the city.

Two top leaders of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi lodged their protest with foreign minister SM Krishna about violation of protocol when a nine-member Chinese delegation visited the city.

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The leader of the house in MCD Subhash Arya and standing committee chairperson Yogender Chandolia said the delegation, led by vice mayor of Beijing Ding Xangyang, directly met Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on November 5, bypassing the mayor, who is Delhi' sfirst citizen.

"All visiting mayors, vice-mayors and city representatives call upon the mayor of the city as a laid-down procedure, practice and protocol," the leaders wrote to Krishna.

"The ministry of external affairs granted permission to the delegation to meet Dikshit bypassing the mayor of Delhi. The decision of the ministry is imbued in political colours. It is evident because BJP, main Opposition party of India is also at the helm of affairs in MCD," they alleged.

The BJP leaders said even during the opening and closing ceremonies of the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, the mayor was "conveniently overlooked".