Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has invited opposition flak for driving a scooter without a helmet on Diwali and also travelling minus security cover.
Das celebrated Diwali at his home in Jamshedpur, which is also his assembly constituency.
A video clip on local news channels and social media shows the Chief Minister driving a two-wheeler without wearing a helmet.
On Thursday night, Das along with a few people drove on his scooter for around two kilometres and visited the homes of people.
The Chief Minister's move to meet people without his security cover has also attracted criticism.
"Last year, the Chief Minister at a programme related to road safety had appealed to people to move on bikes only after wearing the helmet. The state government had also come out with advertisements in local newspapers and news channels citing the example of Chief Minister Raghubar Das," Kishore Sahdeo, state Congress General Secretary, told IANS, attacking Das.
The advertisement had said "If the Chief Minister can wear a helmet then why can't you?"
The ruling BJP was finding it hard to defend the Chief Minister.
"The media is highlighting only one aspect. See the Chief Minister is himself driving the scooter without security cover in order to meet people on Diwali. The media should highlight the positive side of the Chief Minister. There was no traffic when the Chief Minister was moving on Diwali night," said a BJP leader who did not want to be quoted.
