NEW DELHI: Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) has petitioned the Electoral Commission against the use of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo in advertisements for various central schemes and Covid vaccination certificates.
A delegation from the ruling West Bengal party met with the EC on Wednesday and called the use of PM’s photo a “flagrant misuse of official machinery” and a violation of the model code of conduct that is in force in the state. .
West Bengal goes to the polls in 8 phases between March 27 and April 29. The ruling TMC is locked in an intense political battle with the BJP, which has become the main rival in West Bengal.
“We are seeking the intervention of the survey panel to remove billboards of central government schemes with images of Modi on gas pumps,” said Minister of State Firhad Hakim after meeting with EC officials.
On Tuesday, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien had alleged that the prime minister’s photos had been used in Covid-19 vaccination certificates even after the announcement of the election dates.
The Bengal BJP dismissed the allegations as “unfounded”.
BJP State President Dilip Ghosh said the vaccination campaign had started before the announcement of the election dates.
“If a government project starts before an election is declared, it can continue in the same way. At the gas pumps, there are billboards for various Center wellness projects. These are posted on private land,” Ghosh said.
(With PTI inputs)
A delegation from the ruling West Bengal party met with the EC on Wednesday and called the use of PM’s photo a “flagrant misuse of official machinery” and a violation of the model code of conduct that is in force in the state. .
West Bengal goes to the polls in 8 phases between March 27 and April 29. The ruling TMC is locked in an intense political battle with the BJP, which has become the main rival in West Bengal.
“We are seeking the intervention of the survey panel to remove billboards of central government schemes with images of Modi on gas pumps,” said Minister of State Firhad Hakim after meeting with EC officials.
On Tuesday, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien had alleged that the prime minister’s photos had been used in Covid-19 vaccination certificates even after the announcement of the election dates.
The Bengal BJP dismissed the allegations as “unfounded”.
BJP State President Dilip Ghosh said the vaccination campaign had started before the announcement of the election dates.
“If a government project starts before an election is declared, it can continue in the same way. At the gas pumps, there are billboards for various Center wellness projects. These are posted on private land,” Ghosh said.
(With PTI inputs)
.
