The BJP announced its intention to file a complaint with the Election Commission regarding Trinamool Congress Asansol Member of Parliament Shatrughan Sinha’s alleged use of a vehicle equipped with a blue beacon during campaign activities in West Burdwan district, West Bengal. Sinha, as an MP, arrived at a campaign event supporting a Trinamool candidate in Jamuria constituency in a car displaying a blue beacon and identifying him as a Member of Parliament, Asansol, along with the Ashoka Pillar emblem. Questions have arisen about the permissibility of using such a vehicle during a party candidate’s campaign after the official announcement of the election schedule, prompting objections from the BJP.
A workers’ meeting supporting Trinamool candidate Hareram Singh was organized, and Shatrughan Sinha arrived at the venue in his blue-beaconed vehicle, with the car labeled ‘Member of Parliament, Asansol,’ featuring the Ashoka Pillar emblem. The BJP candidate for Jamuria, Bijan Mukherjee, has accused Sinha of violating the Model Code of Conduct, stating his intention to escalate the matter to the Election Commission and potentially to the courts. Mukherjee emphasized the importance of adhering to regulations, criticizing what he perceives as the Trinamool government’s disregard for rules.
Shatrughan Sinha refuted the allegations, denying any deliberate installation of the beacon light for the occasion and asserting that it was pre-existing and not activated. He emphasized his compliance with the law and ethical conduct, expressing his commitment to upholding standards. Following the controversy, Sinha reportedly had the blue beacon removed from his vehicle after completing his campaign, although the placard identifying him as a Member of Parliament remained. The BJP has raised concerns about the perceived attempt to influence the public through the use of the blue beacon, highlighting the significance of upholding standards of conduct and setting a positive example for others.
