T’puram: State govt suspended Kerala House protocol officer R Sreekumar after an alleged lapse in protocol led opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan to miss his flight from New Delhi to Kozhikode on Saturday. Govt issued the suspension order following an enquiry led by Kerala House additional resident commissioner Aswathi Sreenivas, who submitted a report to the chief secretary on Sunday. The enquiry found that Kerala House’s protocol wing had failed to coordinate effectively with the airline and Delhi airport operator GMR, leading to Vijayan’s travel disruption.Vijayan had reached the airport on time to board the 2.50pm IndiGo flight after attending CPM’s politburo meet. He was waiting in the airport’s lounge when he was informed, just before departure, that he must proceed to the boarding gate. Although he rushed, airline staff told him that the boarding time was up and he was not allowed on the aircraft. He later flew to Kannur on a 7.15pm flight.Officials said as part of protocol arrangements, Kerala House protocol officer was expected to ensure that Vijayan was escorted to the boarding gate on time. The protocol officer and an assistant had accompanied Vijayan and his aide to the airport. Sources indicated that the officer’s lack of experience may have contributed to the lapse.
