Few days ago, PM Modi’s photo on railway tickets created a furore after which the Railways decided to withdraw those tickets ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Now, a boarding pass issued by Air India bearing pictures of PM Narendra Modi and Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has come under criticism for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
At New Delhi airport today March 25th, 2019.
— Shashi Kant IPS (@shashikantips54) March 25, 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
Talking to Economic Times, Air India spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar said:
“The rolls seem to be the 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. 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 If they do, these will be withdrawn.”
The airline is looking into the matter and the passes will be withdrawn if they are found to be violating the Model Code of Conduct.
It should be noted that the elections will begin on April 11 and the Model Code of Conduct has already come into force.
