NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s poll slogan ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ (‘I’m also watchman’) reaches Railways.
Yet again, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) found itself caught on the wrong side when passengers on Friday reported that tea was being served in paper cups with ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ (‘I’m also watchman’) taglined on them.
The incident was highlighted by a Twitter user, who posted a picture of a teacup which went viral on social media.The paper cups had a toll free number and an appeal in Hindi to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. “Bhajpa ke sadasya banein. Saath aayein, desh banayein (Become a member of BJP. Come along, build the nation),” it read.
A colleague shares how #MainBhiChowkidar branding is being used on train….
Train No. 12040 #KathgodamShatabdi has tea served twice in these cups!
Is this not violation of MCC??@RailMinIndia @SpokespersonECI @PiyushGoyal @ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/hZjhCnUP9U— 🦏 Payal M/પાયલ મેહતા/ पायल मेहता/ পাযেল মেহতা (@payalmehta100) March 29, 2019
Following a row with the Model Code of Conduct, the railways withdrew the cup and penalised the contractor.
Sankalp Foundation, the NGO behind the “Main Bhi Chowkidar” cups advertisement slapped with showcause notice for this misconduct and also a fine of Rs 1 lakh fine has been imposed on the service provider.
Here is the @IRCTCofficial press release…
RK Associates is the company that has been fined ₹1lakh @RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/cYdoHl9AfS— 🦏 Payal M/પાયલ મેહતા/ पायल मेहता/ পাযেল মেহতা (@payalmehta100) March 29, 2019
Notably, this is not the first time that NGOs have campaigned in favor of the BJP. On January 31, 2015, tea being served in paper cups with photographs of PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah to the passengers of Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi train has created furore prompting the Railway orders probe.
The 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19, and the results declared on May 23.