Did BJP Catch Trinamool MP Kirti Azad Vaping Inside Lok Sabha?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations: Kirti Azad accused of vaping in Parliament.
- Complaint: Raised by BJP MP Anurag Thakur.
- Legal Context: Electronic cigarettes banned in India.
- BJP's Position: Urging accountability from TMC.
- Awaiting Response: No comment from Azad or TMC yet.
Kolkata, Dec 17 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged on Wednesday that cricketer-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad was caught using an electronic cigarette while seated at his official chair in Parliament.
Previously, last week, senior BJP Lok Sabha member Anurag Singh Thakur addressed a formal complaint to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, highlighting that an All India Trinamool Congress MP was reportedly vaping inside the Lok Sabha, which he described as a serious violation of Parliamentary decorum and legal regulations.
Interestingly, Thakur refrained from naming the accused Lok Sabha member at that time.
On Wednesday, Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s Information Technology Cell and the party’s key observer for West Bengal, shared a video on social media depicting Kirti Azad allegedly using an electronic cigarette in the Parliament.
“The TMC MP pointed out by BJP MP Anurag Thakur for vaping inside Parliament is none other than Kirti Azad. For individuals like him, rules and laws seem to hold no significance. Just envision the audacity of concealing an e-cigarette in his palm while present in the House!” Malviya expressed in his social media commentary.
He also mentioned that while smoking may not be illegal in India, doing so within Parliament is wholly unacceptable. “Mamata Banerjee must address her MP’s inappropriate behavior,” Malviya urged.
As this report was being compiled, there was no response from either Azad or the Trinamool Congress regarding this incident.
During the previous week, while discussing this matter on the Parliamentary floor, Thakur reminded the Speaker that the manufacture, production, import, export, transport, sale (including online sale), distribution, storage, and advertising of electronic cigarettes have been strictly banned across India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019.