Dilip-Locket bike rally: Trinamool says Model Code of Conduct violated

BJP state president Dilip Ghosh's bike ride in Raigunj with actress-turned-politician Locket Chatterjee as pillion rider, without helmets, has raised hackles in the TMC camp. The ride, which was part of a "bike rally," is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) according to the TMC along with a defiance of "Safe Drive Save Life" mission that the Bengal government has been tirelessly propagating.

With civil polls in Raigunj in Uttar Dinajpur district slated for May 14, political parties are busy campaigning. Dressed in a white kurta- pajama and sporting an Assamese gamcha, Ghosh along with Chatterjee were spotted in a BJP bike rally in town on Wednesday.

The rally went through the roads and alleys of Ward 20 to 26. Along with this, Ghosh also attended street corner meetings which were held at Debinagar, Rashbihari market and Ukilpara. The TMC has labeled this a violation of the model code of conduct. "Dilip Ghosh is always violating the law. Bike rallies are prohibited in election campaigns. By this move he is not only trying to hog the limelight, attract media attention but also trying to create disturbances in this area.

However, this move will finally boomerang. People will not get trapped in these stunts. The public is with the TMC. We will lodge a formal complaint with the District Magistrate," stated Arindam Sarkar, TMC leader. The Uttar Dinajpur District Magistrate who is also the District Municipal Officer stated that bike rallies are prohibited in election campaigns. "There is a directive from the Election Commission that bike rallies cannot be organised for election campaign purposes," stated T N Sharpa, DM, Uttar Dinajpur.

When questioned on whether any action will be initiated against the BJP's bike rally, Sherpa stated: "If there is a formal complaint lodged, we will investigate and take necessary action. If it comes to our notice we could even initiate a suo motu case," added Sherpa. Dilip Ghosh waved off all the allegations. "It was not a planned bike rally. Voters of Raigunj had complained of intimidation. They were complaining that they would not come out to vote owing to fear. In order to instill confidence, I along with some BJP supporters met them today (Wednesday). It has helped a lot. We have managed to drive away their fears," Ghosh said.