Jammu and Kashmir police have lodged an investigation into the vehicle's misuse.
Highlights
- The rally at Anantnag was addressed by BJP leader Ram Madhav.
- Police said they have withdrawn the vehicle and conducting a probe.
- Omar Abdullah accused police of "helping" BJP in sarcastic tweet.
A video of an armoured police vehicle transporting food packets and water bottles to a BJP rally in South Kashmir's Anantnag parliamentary constituency has emerged on social media, spurring the authorities to launch an investigation.
Jammu and Kashmir police claimed that the armoured vehicle, which was actually meant to transport security officials responsible for protecting political dignitaries at a rally addressed by BJP national secretary Ram Madhav, had been misused.
"Today, a video wherein a police vehicle is seen being utilised for distribution of food items in a political party rally at Anantnag surfaced on social media," a police statement read. "The vehicle in question was deployed for ferrying escort personnel of a protected person. The vehicle has been withdrawn from the said protected person, and the vehicle driver has been attached. An inquiry has been ordered into the matter."
The incident drew a sarcastic remark from National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. "Well done @JmuKmrPolice.You have always helped the needy & this is another example. You have set aside your obligations under the election code of conduct to help a political party in need but please confine it to drinks/food.We hope you will not be as generous with bogus voting," he tweeted.
The three-phased Lok Sabha poll in Anantnag will run from April 23 to May 6. The BJP's Sofi Yusuf is contesting the poll from the constituency against former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ghulam Hassan Mir of the Congress and Justice (retired) Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference.
Ram Madhav has expressed confidence that his party will win over three of the six parliamentary seats in the troubled state. "Today, BJP has become a mainstream party in Kashmir. We will work for peace and development in the region," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, party president Amit Shah promised at a Jharkhand rally that Article 370 -- a legislation that provides Jammu and Kashmir with special status -- will be withdrawn if the Narendra Modi government is voted back to power.
(With inputs from Agencies)