Srinagar: National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi on Thursday criticised the railways for not inviting him for the flagging off ceremony of two new train services held in his Homeshalibugh constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.
"I was not invited by the railway authorities but by the Deputy Commissioner as I am the local MLA," he said.
The MLA questioned the motive of the PDP-BJP government to include the name of Sartaj Madni, PDP General Secretary and uncle of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed, in the advertisements for inauguration of the new trains while his name was excluded.
The function took place at Anantnag railway station.
"I left the function when PDP supporters began hooting as my name was being called on the podium," Larmi said.
He said he told the Chief Minister that he would not want to be part of a function where political opponents are being disrespected.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier said, "What a shame that an office bearer of a political party is a 'guest of honour' but the local MLA isn't included."
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu flagged off the two new DEMU train services between Banihal-Baramulla and Baramulla-Budgam through video conferencing from Rail Bhavan in New Delhi.
"What a pity that the @BJP4India & @jkpdp conspired to denigrate the institution of elected representatives! Cc @sureshpprabhu," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.
In another tweet, he said, "The station where the function is being held is in Homshalibugh constituency @sureshpprabhu sahib."
Omar said, "Was he (Majeed) snubbed because he is @JKNC_ MLA? I remember Mufti Sahib (former Chief Minister and PDP patron) being given a seat on the dais with (then PM) Dr Manmohan Singh and Mrs (Sonia) Gandhi during my term (as CM) even though it wasn't his area".
