With the Lok Sabha election 2019, just around the corner, Election Commission (EC) again issued orders to all the Indian political party leaders, representatives and members that violation of the Model Code should not be tolerated. According to this code of conduct, every political party should abide by the restrictions with respect to polling booths, meetings, processions and a basic conduct.
Now, after the recent case of railway tickets bearing our PM Modi’s pictures, it is now the flight tickets that got into this violation. Air India flight’s boarding passes had pictures of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, which automatically falls under third party advertisements and violates the code at the same time.
Former Punjab DGP Shashi Kant tweeted the photograph issued at the New Delhi airport. He questioned how come they are bearing the pictures of our ruling party leaders. Have a look.
At New Delhi airport today March 25th, 2019.
My Air India Boarding Pass, prominently flashes Narendra Modi, "Vibrant Gujrat" & Vijay Rupani. Picture of boarding pass is below.
Wonder why we are wasting public money on this Election Commission, which doesn't see, hears or speak… pic.twitter.com/7t49cNIlAR— Shashi Kant IPS (@shashikantips54) March 25, 2019
When this instance of violating the model code of conduct, came into light, Twitterati supported it and said this should be immediately withdrawn. Even some also pointed out how unrealistic it is to believe that people will vote according to advertisements in boarding passes.
#1
Great work Sir . Already Air India is backpedaling on the issue and claiming 3rd party paid for ads . But good to know officers like you are always alert against procedural lapses . Keep up the good work Sir .
— EssBee (@Bsatyaki) March 25, 2019
#2
Raise the issue to election commission..this is misconduct of model code of conduct.
— Aflah ul haque (@journoaflah) March 25, 2019
#3
Isn't this a violation of Model Code of Conduct for the #GE2019
— Lord Leopard (Lutyens' Wale) (@Leopard212) March 25, 2019
#4
https://twitter.com/ahambrahm_asmi/status/1110179648837554177
#5
Ur involvement in this issue s highly appreciated…I thank u for the people of india 🇮🇳
— Usam Mubarak (@MubarakUsam) March 25, 2019
#6
It's not only with Air India.. but with Spicejet and may be with other carriers too.. I got it at Mangalore airport..
Power ho he, to Mumkin hai.. pic.twitter.com/UQ8UHIohGq— Nitin Patil (@nitin_patil28) March 26, 2019
#7
This must be embarrassing for PM as it is s clear violation of the moral code of conduct
— Dr Arvind Mayaram اروند مایارام अरविंद मायाराम (@MayaramArvind) March 26, 2019
#8
Are we the public so immature that seeing someone’s photograph on Boarding Pass lead is to vote for them? Are we not getting too sensitive and asking too much of model code
— Yuvraj (@Yuvraj1973) March 25, 2019
#9
#ElectionCommissionOfIndia is compromised already. They will take action against Congress and other parties. Infact all agencies including EC has surrendered to Modi. #ChowkidarChorHai #LokSabhaElections2019 #JantaMaafNahiKaregi
— Vicky Naudiyal (@vicksdaredevil) March 25, 2019
#10
Q.48. Whether political advertisements can be printed on back side of the bus-ticket of Govt. owned buses?
Ans. NoThis is on the website if ECI. This should also apply to govt. owned aircraft.
— mohanshekhar (@mohanshekhar) March 25, 2019
According to Air India spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar, they were printed during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. He said ‘ The rolls seem to be ones left over from the boarding passes printed during the vibrant Gujarat Summit and the photos are third-party advertisements. It has nothing to do with Air India.’ He also added ‘ However we are scrutinising if third party ads fall within the purview of the Model code of Conduct. If they do, these will be withdrawn. These boarding passes are not just for Gujarat, but are in use across India.
So, do you think this a violation worth justification?
