Was a Vehicle with Bihar Police Markings Misused in Tej Pratap Yadav's Election Rally?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vehicle misuse: A private vehicle falsely presented as a police vehicle was used in a political rally.
- Legal repercussions: An FIR has been filed against the vehicle's owner and driver for election law violations.
- Public trust: Such incidents threaten the integrity of electoral processes and public confidence.
- Investigation ongoing: Authorities are actively investigating the origins and permissions regarding the vehicle.
- Political implications: Tej Pratap Yadav's actions signal a shift in his political strategy away from the RJD.
Patna, Oct 20 (NationPress) A controversy has arisen in the Bhojpur district after a private Bolero vehicle adorned with police insignia and a warning light was reportedly utilized during an election rally held by Tej Pratap Yadav, a leader of the Janshakti Janata Dal and former minister, on Sunday.
This incident came to public attention when a video circulated widely on social media, raising concerns about a significant breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In response to the viral video, the Bhojpur district police acted promptly.
Based on the account provided by Inspector Rajesh Kumar, an FIR has been filed at the Gadhani police station against the vehicle's owner and an unidentified driver under relevant sections concerning election-related offenses.
A police official noted that the vehicle had been intentionally modified to display police markings and equipped with a warning light, misleadingly presenting it as an official government vehicle.
Authorities claim that this government identity was exploited for political campaigning, which directly contravenes election laws.
The Bhojpur Police have begun the process of confiscating the vehicle featured in the viral footage.
Investigators are currently verifying the ownership details, the authorization for the vehicle's usage during the rally, and the motives behind this act.
Officials emphasized that the misuse of government symbols or identification to mislead the public is a grave offense.
The police affirmed that stringent measures would be implemented to prevent any recurrence of such misuse in the future.
Tej Pratap Yadav is contesting in the Mahua Assembly constituency in Vaishali district, the same seat he previously won on the RJD ticket in 2015.
“We are committed to bringing about a comprehensive transformation in Bihar and establishing a new system. We are gearing up to engage in a prolonged struggle for the state's holistic development,” Tej Pratap stated.
His independent political maneuver in the high-stakes Assembly elections indicates a desire to forge a distinct identity separate from the RJD led by his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav.