Kolkata, March 23 (NationPress) The BJP announced on Monday that it plans to file a complaint with the Election Commission regarding the alleged use of a blue beacon vehicle by Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha during his campaigning efforts for the Assembly elections in West Burdwan district, West Bengal.

The issue arose after Sinha, being a Member of Parliament, is entitled to use a blue-beacon vehicle, arrived at a campaign event on Sunday in support of Trinamool candidate Hareram Singh within the Jamuria constituency. His vehicle was equipped with a blue beacon and displayed a placard identifying him as “Member of Parliament, Asansol,” alongside the Ashoka Pillar emblem.

A meeting for party workers was held to support Hareram, and Sinha arrived in his vehicle adorned with the blue beacon. The front of the vehicle exhibited the inscription 'Member of Parliament, Asansol,' coupled with the Ashoka Pillar emblem. However, concerns have been raised about the legitimacy of using a blue beacon vehicle during a campaign after the election schedule has been officially declared. The BJP has objected to this incident. Bijan Mukherjee, the BJP candidate for Jamuria, has formally charged Sinha with breaching the Model Code of Conduct.

BJP candidate Bijan Mukherjee stated his intention to escalate this issue to the Election Commission and potentially to the courts. He remarked, “The TMC government appears to be creating new laws. To my knowledge, once the Model Code of Conduct is in effect, it is prohibited to travel in a vehicle equipped with a blue beacon or the Ashoka Pillar. This incident underscores the Trinamool government's blatant disregard for rules and regulations.”

In response, Shatrughan Sinha refuted the allegations, explaining to reporters, “The beacon light was not placed for this occasion; it was already there. I did not add anything myself, and the light was not activated. I do not participate in such actions. I see myself as a gentleman who follows the law. I have not committed any offense nor will I ever do anything that could offend or hurt anyone.”

Reports indicate that after finishing his campaign and returning to his vehicle, the blue beacon was no longer visible. Sources suggest that he directed his personal assistant to remove the blue beacon from the vehicle as soon as the controversy surfaced. Nonetheless, the placard indicating 'Member of Parliament' alongside the Ashoka Pillar emblem remained intact.

The BJP contends that the use of a blue beacon vehicle was a calculated maneuver to sway public opinion. Bijan Mukherjee insists that this should not be trivialized. He emphasized, “An incident is significant regardless of its size. One cannot overlook a minor violation today while waiting for a larger one tomorrow; that’s not how it works. If an MP—someone who makes laws—behaves in such a manner, what kind of precedent does he set for others? He is an educated person; he committed this act fully aware of its implications.”