PM Modi’s blue-eyed boy ditches lal batti

Mumbai: Welcoming a decision by the Centre on Wednesday that bans VIPs from placing red beacons on top of their vehicles, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday that he had already stopped using them. Though the ban will come into force from May 1, 2017, Mr Fadnavis tweeted, “To celebrate such epic step for strengthening our democracy, I have stopped using red beacon atop my car (sic).”

The Union government’s decision, which exempts only a few dignitaries such as the President, Vice-President and Chief Justice of India, is applicable to the Prime Minister, chief ministers, chief secretaries, ministers, IAS and IPS officers and high court judges.

Toeing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s line, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is considered by some to be his blue-eyed boy, said, “Maharashtra welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji of stopping the use of red beacons atop VVIP cars. (sic)” Mr Fadnavis was in Pune on Wednesday to attend a ceremony where a lifetime achievement award was being bestowed upon Sri Sri Ravishankar. The red beacon was visibly absent from the top of his car.

It remains to be seen whether or not other officials will follow Mr Fadnavis’ example and ditch their red beacons before May 1. Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar said that all should respect the union cabinet’s decision.

“But for this, the state government should issue a notification. The PM had earlier appealed all BJP MPs to declare their assets, but how many MPs have done this?” Mr Mahadeshwar asked. Anup Kumar Singh, joint commissioner of police (administration) said, “We are yet to receive the said order. We will know if the police department falls under it.”