Cadre rides bikes sans helmet in BJP’s show of strength
CM Yogi flags off event in Varanasi; deputy CM Maurya in Phulpur
LUCKNOW: Ostensibly intended at connecting with masses, the Saturday bike rally by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) turned out to be the show of ‘power’ and ‘balance’.
While the ministers were seen indulging in balancing act by driving bike or riding pillion wearing helmets, cadres drove across wearing saffron caps —caring two hoots for traffic rules.
“This is our protection,” they said pointing at their caps when quizzed near Lucknow’s 1090 crossing. The mass violation of Motor Vehicles Act coincided with the traffic week where the state’s traffic directorate is busy making people aware of the need to drive with helmets on.
The department is also busy handing out challans to violators. For instance, on Friday 355 vehicles were challaned and Rs 21,500 realised as fine. Also, 265 drivers and 730 children were made aware of traffic rules, confirmed an official.
But, Saturday was about show of power, and its misuse.
An officer of the road transport office (RTO) told HT that had the rallyists been levied the mandatory Rs 100 fine for not wearing helmets the department would have earned a substantial amount. An estimated 8 lakh BJP men rode bike.
While there isn’t any estimate as to how many violated the MV Act, images from across the state indicated that majority flouted.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath didn’t ride bike but merely flagged off many saffron bikers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
› 2019 is a very crucial year for establishing India as world superpower under leadership of PM Modi. Work hard and make the common man aware of the welfare schemes which gave a different identity to BJP governmentled
YOGI ADITYANATH, UP CM
Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. “I am sure you would take precaution and wear helmets,” he urged the cadre, who quickly forgot the advice.
Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, who rode pillion on a bike driven by Mukesh Sharma, wore helmet but appeared oblivious of rallyists following him without one. “No, no everyone is wearing and those who aren’t would be directed to do so,” Sharma said.
The cadre however, aware of their party’s power status, was in no mood to heed to advice.
Former president of Central Bar Association OP Yadav, in fact, has written to DGP OP Singh
› The opposition is like a marriage procession without the bridegroom and the world’s most powerful leader (Narendra Modi) is set to be reelected as country’s Prime Minister in the forthcoming Parliamentary elections. KESHAV PRASAD MAURYA, Dy CM
reminding him how traffic rules were blatantly flouted in the traffic week.
At some places, one came across paradoxical scenes like BJP leaders wearing helmet riding pillion while the driver without one. This was the case in Mathura where local MP Hema Malini sat wearing a helmet but her driver didn’t wear any.
Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya rode a Royal Enfield motorcycle, so did ministers technical education minister Gopal Tandon, law minister Brijesh Pathak, urban development minister Suresh Khanna– all wore protection.
Union minister Mahesh Sharma was seen standing on the bike while greeting supporters.