Jaipur: Deputy chief minister Prem Chand Bairwa faced an online backlash after his son appeared in a social media reel driving a modified jeep, escorted by a state govt vehicle. The incident raised questions about the misuse of state resources, prompting Bairwa to both defend his son and later apologise publicly. In the reel, a govt Bolero vehicle with a multi-coloured beacon, registered under the transport department, was seen following the jeep driven by Bairwa's son on Amber Road in Jaipur.
The jeep carried his son alongside three friends, one of whom is said to be the child of a Congressman. Speaking to the media on Friday, Bairwa initially defended his son. He said his son was merely with school friends and had done nothing wrong.
Bairwa highlighted his son's exposure to affluent individuals and luxury cars since his rise to the deputy chief ministership. “I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for making someone like me the deputy chief minister of Rajasthan. After this, if wealthy individuals allow my son to sit with them and give him a chance to see luxury cars then I am thankful,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Bairwa said his son, who is not yet 18- years-old, was accompanied by the govt vehicle for security reasons, suggesting there was no rule violation. “Where were the rules violated? The govt car was following for my child's safety. If people interpret it differently, that's their perspective but I do not blame my child or his friends.
They were jus.