New Delhi:
Sonia Gandhi has nixed that ultimate in power status symbols - the red beacon or
lal batti atop cars - for MPs.
Mrs Gandhi, who is also the chairperson of the UPA, was reportedly categorical that there was no question of allowing MPs to use the red beacon on their cars, at a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party today. A parliamentary committee on ethics had sought this privilege for MPs in a report tabled in December last year. At today's meeting, sources said, senior leader PC Chacko tried to reason with Mrs Gandhi saying that even MLAs used these lights on their vehicles in states, but to no avail
Though it's been a long-standing demand of MPs, who have argued that why MLAs even panchayat leaders use these in states, Mrs Gandhi's "nay" suddenly had them line up in complete agreement.
"I am 101% with her. We are daily wagers and we serve for four to five years, what happens after that?" asked ML Sharma, MP from Jammu.
Pervez Hashmi, a Rajya Sabha MP from Delhi, said, "I do not think we need this; when I was a minister too I used my own vehicle."
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has written to the Prime Minister against red beacons for MPs saying, "The current climate of cynicism and distrust does not behove people's representatives flaunting such privileges. It is likely to be highly misunderstood and become the butt of ridicule and derision, rather than respect or awe."
Some prominent BJP leaders too agree that MPs don't need red lights on their cars. "I don't think even ministers should have this red light; it should be used only if you have to go to the hospital or have a heart attack," said Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
Many Members of Parliament get the
lal batti from the state that their parties rule. Like BSP MPs when Mayawati ruled Uttar Pradesh. "Mayawati permitted us to use this facility as a benefit for the work we do," said BSP MP SP Singh Baghel.