Rajasthan guv’s ‘Diwali greeting’ lands BJP in spot

Agra: In a major poster blooper, Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh featured in a Diwali greeting issued by the BJP. He featured on the poster along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Samajwadi Party leaders question how the photograph of a governor, a constitutional functionary, could be used for party publicity.
The poster appeared near the statue of Maharaja Agrasen near Madiya Katra Road.It may first have been stuck in the area about a week ago, but is now the subject of much discussion. Along with the Rajasthan governor, the poster carries images of the prime minister and of BJP MP Ram Shankar Katheria.
BJP national president Amit Shah and state president Lakshmikant Bajpai also featured in the BJP’s Diwali greeting wishes, along with MLA Jagan Prasad Garg and Yogendra Upadhyay.
Most prominently, in a circle right on top of the poster, is the photograph of Kalyan Singh, senior BJP leader and former UP CM, who at the time of appointment to a gubernatorial position was reportedly reluctant to give up active politics.
Although BJP workers said the poster was prepared keeping in mind the most popular party leaders, some Samajwadi Party leaders have said the matter will be taken up with the administration.
Vijay Shiv Hare, a senior BJP leader in the city, is now having to offer explanations for the poster.
“PM Narendra Modi has ordered all party men to use his pictures only in appropriate places. Even UP Governor Ram Naik has asked party leaders to refrain from using his photographs indiscriminately,” said Azad Singh, spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party.
Vijay Shiv Hare could not be contacted. BJP spokesperson Raj Kumar Pathik said the party had not put out any posters wishing people for Diwali. It was likely that Vijay Shiv Hare had got some posters made of his own, and made the mistake, he said. “We will remove these posters as soon as possible,” Pathik said.