Retired ITBP Assistant Commandant Om Parkash reportedly joined the BJP in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh on Friday, 26 April, wearing his full uniform.
Parkash joined the party at an election rally attended by the state Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, wearing his uniform carrying metals, stars and badges, according to a report by The Times of India.
Parkash, who retired from the paramilitary force four years ago, told TOI that he had taken permission from Thakur to wear the uniform on the occasion.
"My heart was with the BJP, today I have formally joined the party," he also said.
The leader of Opposition in the state, Mukesh Agnihotri, criticised the BJP, saying that the party is politicising martyrdom and armed forces "to get votes", the report said.
The report also quoted Sharawan Thapa, a former honorary Captain from the army, as saying that they are not allowed to attend functions wearing full uniform.
Cong Files Complaint Against Officer
The Himachal Pradesh Congress has written to the Election Commission of India demanding strict action against a former ITBP officer who joined the BJP wearing his full uniform.
"We have written to the ECI today to take action under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 against BJP leaders and retired ITBP assistant commandant Om Prakash who joined BJP wearing his full uniform in a public meeting in Dharamshala on Friday," state Congress president Kuldeep Singh Rathore said Saturday.
Rathore asked what message the BJP wants to convey to the public by doing so.
"This is nothing but defiance of EC directions and an unsuccessful attempt by BJP to use central armed police force (CAPF) uniform for getting political mileage in the Lok Sabha polls," he said.
(With inputs from The Times of India)
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