EC says remove PM’s photo from Covid jab certificate

Weeks before assembly elections start in four states and one union territory, the Election Commission has asked the government to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo from coronavirus vaccine certificates in these states where model code of conduct is already in place, sources have said.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress earlier this week had alleged “blatant misuse of official machinery by the Prime Minister” in the state in a complaint to the Election Commission.

In a letter to the poll panel, TMC MP Derek O’Brien had stated that PM Modi’s photo on vaccination certificates amounted to “blatantly misusing official machinery” in the state ahead of the assembly elections.

“By placing his photograph, name and message on the provisional certificates issued by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, he is not only exploiting his post and powers but also stealing commendable credit from the producers of Covid vaccines,” the TMC MP wrote.

“He is blatantly appropriating the dues of a vast army of selfless doctors, nurses and health service workers,” he said.