Hug-in-protocol

What usually happens is that a public representative on being given a high-profile post turns exceedingly self-important, inclined to maintain the protocol befitting the post while keeping people known to him at the protocol-mandated distance. However, a newly elected public representative despite being given a gaudy post has proved different. He as usual gave a media person who is well-known to him a warm hug on meeting him for the first time after being bestowed with the post, seemingly oblivious of the protocol attached to the glamorous post he is holding. This gesture naturally pleased the media person who might have thought that he had retained the warmth for him even after he ascended to a high- profile post. However, the protocol officer accompanying him was far from pleased. He rather looked shocked on beholding the spectacle of the public representative affectionately hugging the media person.    Nevertheless, he chose to maintain a discreet silence. later, the public representative realised his mistake and said sorry to the protocol officer. He tried to explain his behaviour, saying that new to the post, he was yet to adapt himself to the requirements the post warranted.

 Habit dies hard

As electoral luck would have it, both the persons who were the leader of the House and the leader of the Opposition of the third Vidhan Sabha failed to see their ways into the fourth Vidhan Sabha. However, they both hogged the media attention even more than the members of the new House during the first session. These two leaders were seen sending chits to those who are close to them from the guests’ gallery.  Though they seemed to be radiating vivacity the discerning could have hardly failed to mark despair lurking beneath their beaming faces. The duo was interestingly present during both the sessions-pre and post-lunch.  The media persons, especially from the electronic media, seemed to be trying to avoid the eyes of the duo. But one of the two made sure that he was not ignored. He was heard calling the media persons by their names, making it clear that he wanted them to put the microphone before him and get his byte. The wily journos did not ignore him. However, when it came to air his views they either ignored them or gave them scanty space.