TCO News Report
Bengaluru | August 3, 2026
BJP Faces Fresh Allegations of “PR Stunt” Over Ambulance Branding at Victoria Hospital
A controversy has erupted in Bengaluru after photographs taken by a TCO News reporter at Victoria Hospital revealed Advanced Life Support ambulances carrying large images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, while the vehicles are clearly marked as belonging to the Government of Karnataka.
The side panel of one ambulance displays the Kannada text “ವಿಕ್ಟೋರಿಯಾ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ” (Victoria Hospital) along with “ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT AMBULANCE.” Prominent photographs of PM Modi and MP Tejasvi Surya appear in the centre of the blue medical-themed graphic. The lower portion of the vehicle carries the official-looking line: “ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಮಹಾವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂಶೋಧನಾ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಕೆ.ಆರ್. ರಸ್ತೆ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು-01” (Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, K.R. Road, Bengaluru-01). The registration number visible is KA-01 G 7145.
The front of the same vehicle is emblazoned with “GOVT OF KARNATAKA,” “FREE MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC,” and “VICTORIA HOSPITAL” in bold lettering. No photograph or name of Karnataka Chief Minister D.K Shivakumar, the state Health Minister, or any other state government functionary is present on the ambulance. There is also no mention of the vehicle being “donated by” or “sponsored by” the Member of Parliament.
Opposition voices and local observers have described the branding as a political publicity exercise. They argue that if the ambulance was provided or sponsored by the MP, standard practice requires clear wording such as “donated by” or “sponsored by.” Instead, the vehicle carries official Government of Karnataka markings while prominently featuring central BJP leaders.
TCO Media has formally requested the Government of Karnataka to examine the matter and take appropriate action against the authorities responsible for the branding. The organisation has also stated that it will bring the issue to the notice of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for necessary intervention.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Karnataka Health Department nor the office of MP Tejasvi Surya has issued an official clarification on how the photographs of the Prime Minister and the MP came to be displayed on a government-marked ambulance.
The episode has once again raised questions about the use of public healthcare assets for political messaging in the state.
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