NEW DELHI: The flashing red and blue beacon lights are back on the vehicles of Congress Ministers, MLAs, senior local leaders, office-bearers and chairmen of various Boards and Corporations in blatant violation of the directions of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The Congress president had drafted a Code of Austerity and Ethics for party leaders and those in Government in September last. She had issued directions to Congress-ruled State Governments and party units to adopt a simple and unostentatious lifestyle both in public and in private.

Although soon after the directive was issued, party leaders and those in Government followed it for a few weeks or months, it was business as usual again after a few months.

Not only are the red and blue beacon lights -- illegal under the law -- back atop the vehicles of MLAs and party leaders but there has also been little or no response to Ms. Gandhi's call for keeping private celebrations unostentatious.

"A senior AICC leader and Congress Rajya Sabha member from Delhi only recently held a lavish reception for the marriage of his daughter at a five-star hotel. It was a show of money and political clout at the celebrations, but surprisingly the party high command did not object to it,'' said a senior party leader.

In her directive, Ms. Gandhi had also asked leaders to avoid ostentatious functions, but this is also being flouted by one and all.

Similarly, she had stated that foundation stone laying ceremonies should be discouraged in government but the practise has been continuing since the past one year. "Serving of dinners, luncheons at government expense should be discontinued,'' was one of the major directives. However, the Delhi Government has been throwing lavish official dinners for bureaucrats who retired from service in recent years.

"The beacon lights atop vehicles are a symbol of our political power and presence among the people and the electorate. This is the only honour MLAs in Delhi enjoy and this being taken away is unfair,'' remarked a senior MLA.

As for submitting their annual records of property and assets to the Ethics Committee formed by Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, not a single MLAs or leader has submitted account about his property, business and assets.

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