The BJP State unit on Thursday condemned the detention of the campaign van of Indian Oil Corporation limited (IOCl) named ‘Jan Amantran’ vehicle propagating various Central programmes and alleged that the Jagatsinghpur district Collector was working as a BJD worker.
BJP State spokesperson Prithviraj Harichandan told reporters here that the State Government lacks political decency and is engaged in petty politics.
“The 30 Jan Amantran vehicles never display the BJP’s activities. The vans are disseminating information about welfare schemes of the Centre and also invite people to attend the PM’s February 7 programme at Paradip. But the State Government detained the vehicle illegally citing that it violates the Supreme Court guidelines as the vans carry photos of Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan,” said Harichandan.
He stated that the Supreme Court has prohibited use of photos of Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and other Ministers in internet and sponsored advertisements and also in advertisements in print and visual media.
“But the SC never prohibits to use a Minister’s photo in a vehicle like Jan Amantran,” said Harichandan.
He threatened that if the BJD fails to stop such activities, his party would be forced to remove flexes carrying the Chief Minister’s photos.